Aaron Rodgers’ Farewell Tour Continues with Steelers vs. Browns
On Thursday night, Aaron Rodgers’ much-anticipated farewell tour in the NFL hit another milestone as the Pittsburgh Steelers clashed with the Cleveland Browns. This matchup was expected to be Rodgers’ last game on Thursday night, but the outcome wasn’t as he might have hoped. The Browns, riding a strong start to the season, secured a win over their AFC North rivals, with Deshaun Watson demonstrating impressive play, throwing for 268 yards and a touchdown.
Entering the game, Rodgers was just one victory away from tying Tom Brady’s record of 14 wins on Thursday nights. However, the Steelers’ troubles against AFC North teams continued, falling to 0-10 in such matchups.
Despite his team’s loss, Rodgers racked up 299 passing yards, along with three touchdowns and two interceptions in Pittsburgh’s 27-24 defeat.
As the game reached its climax, the Steelers mounted a promising drive, covering 80 yards in eight plays to tie the game at 24. But the Browns responded decisively, moving into field-goal range, and Andre Szmyt nailed a 56-yarder, sealing the victory at 27-24.
Prior to this game, Rodgers had a 13-7 record in Thursday night matchups, which now stands at 13-8 following the loss. Meanwhile, Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy improved his Thursday Night record to 11-5, including four wins in his last five games.
Interestingly, this game marked the 150th all-time meeting between the two franchises, which are merely 135 miles apart. In a pre-game interview, Rodgers reflected on his approach to the rigorous demands of playing, stating, “I just suck it up for those three hours and then know you get a reward on the back end. I think it’s part of the game now because of the money that’s in it. I think I’m just excited about the weekend.”
The Browns, with this victory, moved into first place in the AFC North, sporting a 2-1 record for the first time since 2023. Both teams will enjoy a break, as Cleveland heads to New York to face the Jets in Week 5, while the Steelers prepare to host the Indianapolis Colts on October 11.
