Yardbarker
x
Is Rodgers' 'full confidence' in Steelers heading into Week 18 warranted? 
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Is Aaron Rodgers' 'full confidence' in Steelers heading into Week 18 warranted? 

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains unfazed, despite a crushing loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The Browns upset the Steelers, 13-6, in Week 17 at home, answering the prayer of Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Pittsburgh (9-7) will now play Baltimore (8-8) for the AFC North in Week 18 at home (TBA). 

The four-time league MVP insists there's no need for panic heading into the regular-season finale. He's confident the Steelers will rebound and win the division. 

Aaron Rodgers says he's confident the Steelers will win in Week 18 

"I have full confidence we'll go home and win next week," Rodgers said, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. "Because we've done it all season. We've handled adversity well. When we had to play our best ball, we did ... other than today."

Can Aaron Rodgers back up that claim? 

The Steelers have demonstrated their resilience throughout the season. In Week 13, the Buffalo Bills dismantled the Steelers in a 26-7 home loss. During the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh fans started calling for the job of head coach Mike Tomlin. Instead of folding, the Steelers won three straight games, putting themselves in position to win the division. 

The Steelers, however, had wide receiver DK Metcalf (850 receiving yards, No. 1 on the team) during that stretch. He has since been suspended for two games for punching a fan in the second quarter of a 29-24 Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions. 

Without Metcalf, the Steelers passing attack looks anemic. Against Cleveland, Rodgers completed 21-of-39 passes for 168 yards and posted a below-average 19.5 QBR. 

On Pittsburgh's final drive, the Steelers finally gained traction. Rodgers and company marched 58 yards downfield to Cleveland's seven-yard line. 

In the red zone, though, Pittsburgh failed to score. On a 4th-and-goal, Rodgers' pass to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling fell incomplete. The QB believed Cleveland cornerback Denzel Ward should've been called for pass interference.

"That was definitely interference," Rodgers said, via NFL.com's Kevin Patra.  

While it may have been a missed call, the Steelers must forget about that and focus on their pivotal Week 18 matchup. Rodgers is confident he'll win, but it's reasonable for Pittsburgh fans to be nervous heading into that game.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!