Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Exposed For Being Frustrated With Arthur Smith All Game Against Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a chance to clinch the AFC North and punch their playoff ticket on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. It has not been the easiest sledding for Mike Tomlin when heading into Cleveland and walking away victorious, and that trend continued once again. Tomlin has had his fair share of struggles in that stadium as of late, and the Steelers lost 13-6 to the Browns, a result that now pushes everything to Week 18.

With that loss, the regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens has officially become a win or go home scenario. The stakes could not be clearer for both teams, as whoever wins Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium will advance to the postseason. For Pittsburgh, the path is simple, but unforgiving after letting a golden opportunity slip away. Losing to a rookie quarterback in Shedeur Sanders with a trip to the playoffs on the line is far from ideal and only adds to the frustration surrounding the performance.

Just a week ago, Tomlin was being praised for winning three straight games, and now he is on the verge of missing the playoffs to a Ravens team without quarterback Lamar Jackson. The game was clearly frustrating for the Steelers, and that tension was evident throughout the night. Browns defensive lineman Alex Wright even detailed how visibly bothered Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers was with his teammates during Sunday’s loss, offering a telling glimpse into a locker room feeling the pressure as its margin for error disappears.

"Oh, he was," Wright said while speaking to the Cleveland media after the win over the Steelers on Sunday. "He [Aaron Rodgers] was out there cussing up a storm, upset about whatever he and the coaches had going on over there. This is the first time since the last game that I've seen him that flustered."

It was a discouraging showing for the Steelers' offense, one that never found a rhythm and consistently stalled in critical moments. 

The lack of explosive plays and missed opportunities in the passing game put even more pressure on an already struggling unit, making it difficult to sustain drives or flip field position.

"We did a good job as a defense today. You know, we let some slip through the cracks, but that's football," Wright said. "At the end of the day, glad we came out with the W."

Steelers' Offense Hurt Big Time By DK Metcalf's Altercation With Lions Fan

The Steelers' offense was brutal to watch during the 13–6 loss, especially with wide receiver DK Metcalf suspended. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was targeted nine times, but managed only three catches, while Scotty Miller also saw seven targets and finished with just three receptions. Pittsburgh’s offense totaled only 291 yards in the game and failed to score a single touchdown, a performance that underscored just how disjointed the unit looked from start to finish.

Despite the struggles on Pittsburgh’s side, Wright was quick to give credit to the Browns' defense for the performance. Wright explained that Cleveland’s defensive front did a strong job of disrupting Rodgers and throwing the Steelers' offense off balance on Sunday, playing a major role in the upset victory. 

Of course, the biggest factor in this loss was the absence of Metcalf, whose altercation with a Detroit Lions fan in Week 16 hurt the team and will keep him out for Week 18’s regular season finale with massive playoff implications. The Steelers also are not expected to have TJ Watt available, which only compounds the problem. Losing two of the team’s most impactful players at this stage of the season is a significant blow as Pittsburgh fights to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Will the Steelers beat the Ravens to make the playoffs in Week 18? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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