Aaron Rodgers didn’t just leave Indianapolis with a win. He left with a nod to Mike Tomlin.
After the Steelers’ 34-22 Week 6 victory over the Colts, Rodgers showed up to his postgame press conference wearing a shirt that read “DGBTTF,” a line he said stands for “don’t get beat to the flat.” Asked whether the message was aimed at Indianapolis’ defense, Rodgers made it clear it was something else entirely.
“No it's not a warning,” Rodgers said. “It's an ode to Mike T. He used to always say, 'don't get beat to the flat.'”
The gesture fit a day that looked a lot more like the Rodgers Pittsburgh has been waiting for. The 42-year-old has been up and down in his final season before retirement, flashing in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons and again in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, then running into trouble against the New England Patriots in Week 2 and the Cleveland Browns in Week 4.
The difference has often come down to the men in front of him. When Pittsburgh’s offensive line has held up, Rodgers has had room to operate.
When it hasn’t, the offense has sputtered. Against Cleveland, he was sacked five times and never really got comfortable.
Against Indianapolis, the protection was far better.
Rodgers took just one sack and spent most of the afternoon working from a clean pocket. He opened the game 11-for-11 and finished 22-of-31 for 235 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
That efficiency helped Pittsburgh notch its first two-score win of the season and its first since Week 15 of the 2025 campaign.
The Steelers needed every bit of it. With Michael Pittman Jr. on IR because of his foot injury, and with Roman Wilson (hand) and Ben Skowronek (calf) both out in the second half because of injuries, Pittsburgh had to find production from multiple places.
It did. Rodgers was sharp, Jaylen Warren, Pat Freiermuth and Germie Bernard all turned in big days, and the offensive line won most of its matchups against Indianapolis’ defensive front.
For the Steelers, it added up to what might have been their most complete showing of the year. If they want to stay in the mix for an AFC North title or a Wild Card spot, this is the standard they’ll need to keep meeting.
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