A case could be made that Aaron Rodgers should not have started at quarterback on Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 41-year-old only strengthened that idea by playing poorly in a 26-7 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium. Rodgers completed just 10 of 21 passes for 117 yards as the Steelers (6-6) lost for the fifth time in their last seven games to drop to .500.

Rodgers was back in action two weeks after sustaining a broken left wrist in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He then sat out a loss to the Chicago Bears before returning Sunday.

Rodgers was unable to take snaps, so the Steelers ran exclusively out of shotgun and pistol formations. The offense seemed somewhat compromised with Rodgers unable to play under center, as the Steelers' 166 total yards were the third-lowest in Mike Tomlin's 19 seasons as coach.

However, Rodgers downplayed the idea that his wrist was a factor.

"We just didn't have enough positive plays," he said. "I felt good enough to be out there, just not ready to take a snap, and hopefully next week. Disappointed in my performance. Disappointed in the offensive performance. We've got to flush this one."

Rodgers left the game for one series in the third quarter because of a bloody nose. Rodgers was injured when sacked by Joey Bosa and fumbled on the first play of the second half. Christian Benford returned the fumble 17 yards for a touchdown to give the Bills a 10-7 lead.

After being examined in the medical tent, Rodgers returned to action with his nose bandaged and blood on his face.

"I hope it's not broken," Rodgers said. "Just had to stop the bleeding. It was bleeding all over the place."

While Rodgers didn't know the status of his nose, he insisted that the Steelers' offense isn't broken, even though Pittsburgh was 27th in the NFL in total yards before Sunday. The Steelers' performance left the crowd booing in the final minutes and chanting for Tomlin's firing. Rodgers, though, said it was not the first time he has been booed in a 21-year career that includes four NFL MVP awards.

"That's part of it," Rodgers said. "They pay money for a ticket. So, they have the right – good, bad, or indifferent – to say what they want. I totally understand the frustration. That was a boo worthy performance."