What happened with the Steelers on Sunday hardly resembled football. Instead, it felt more like a three-hour display of ego, prioritizing one person’s needs over the goal of reaching the playoffs.
The Cleveland Browns walked away victorious, while the Steelers need a win against the Ravens to secure a playoff spot. But at least Aaron Rodgers avoided any ridicule, right? Seems like that’s the focus of the NFL these days.
The Steelers seemed to prioritize protecting Aaron Rodgers from Myles Garrett rather than going for the win. The offense was structured around keeping Rodgers safe at all costs, making it difficult for them to play a typical game. Instead of taking chances, he opted for quick releases and short passes, minimizing any opportunity for Garrett to make a big play.
It appears the Steelers might use a plausible explanation regarding DK Metcalf’s suspension as a cover, but really, it shouldn’t excuse their performance. Their strategy was evident from the outset, and frankly, it was quite disappointing.
Who exactly decided to prioritize preventing Garrett from breaking records at any cost remains unclear. If the Steelers had already secured a playoff position or were out of the running, it might make some sense. Yet, utterly sacrificing their “win first” philosophy to shield one player from another’s achievement? That’s just puzzling. Ultimately, Shedule Sanders pulled off a victory despite throwing two picks, while Pittsburgh managed just 168 yards through the air on 39 attempts.
To keep any chances for the postseason alive, the Steelers need a victory against the Ravens in Week 18, which, sure, seems plausible. But let’s be honest, if their play continues like this, are they truly playoff material? This performance is concerning, especially given the expectations when Rodgers joined the club. The organization has long prided itself on the idea that no individual is bigger than the team; having a veteran quarterback can shift that perception. While this setup has worked to an extent, much of it seems tied to the weakened state of the AFC North rather than any standout talent on the field.
It’s uncertain how this decision will affect the Steelers in the long run, but, perhaps, it doesn’t matter anymore. They either make the playoffs or they don’t. At least they can hang a banner that reads, “We didn’t let Myles Garrett set the sack record.”
19-of-21 completions, 256 yards, 5 TDs
There might not be much to add here. Sure, it was against the Jets, a team that just can’t seem to catch a break. Ultimately, the top draft pick seems likely to come their way. It’s possible Maye could have matched or even broken the single-game TD record, but the Patriots ended up shutting down the game by benching their QB.
This game really broadens the discussion on who might take home the MVP honors. Matthew Stafford still seems to be a frontrunner for the award, but it’s getting close. This upcoming week could be pivotal in determining the top quarterback in the league.
The offseason for the Saints is shaping up to be quite interesting. Tyler Shaw has been hard to ignore lately, given his solid performance against the Titans, which actually improved as the day progressed.
Whether he’ll be the answer at quarterback for New Orleans in the future is yet to be seen, but he’s done enough to keep his spot for now. Competing for the top quarterback slot, the Saints currently hold the No. 8 draft pick but would likely need to trade up to find a significant upgrade over Shaw, which seems improbable. Preserving jobs would count as a win.
Winner: Raiders, for once.
Kudos to Las Vegas for their stylish win with a thorough defeat of the Giants, who were also vying for the top draft pick. This victory allows the Raiders the flexibility to determine which quarterback they’ll be targeting in the 2025 draft, whether it’s Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore.
But they stumbled again. Carolina’s loss to the Seahawks was anticipated, yet it stings more for fans who witnessed the unfolding events. The stage is set for the Panthers to potentially clinch the NFC South when they face the Buccaneers on Sunday. There were moments in the game against Seattle where it looked like Carolina might actually pull it off.
A critical moment came with a terrible facemask penalty by Jaycee Horn on a critical third down in the third quarter. That erased the Panthers’ momentum and seemed to seal their fate. Sure, they appeared to be outmatched by the Seahawks’ defense, but they still had opportunities.
The formula is straightforward: win and qualify. The upcoming matchup between the Panthers and the Buccaneers in Week 18 will determine the NFC South champion.
Loser: Even if it was just the Jets.
For a struggling team, it might be understandable to lose, but the Jets’ lack of effort on defense is inexcusable. There’s a troubling apathy on this team; the players seem indifferent to their performance. With a coach like Aaron Glenn, who has the experience and expertise to steer the ship, it feels like this potential is slipping away.
At this point, it’s like the team is drifting, seemingly not caring how poorly they perform as long as they’re collecting a paycheck. That level of indifference is quite alarming.
