The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting atop the AFC North after a gritty 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14, and if you ask quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the key to that performance didn’t start on Sunday-it started on the practice field.
Rodgers, now 42 and still finding ways to impact games with his arm and leadership, pointed to the presence of veteran wideouts Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen as a major factor in what he called the team’s “most crisp” week of practice this season. And that sharpness showed up when it mattered most.
“I’d hate to sound like a broken record, but it’s all about practice,” Rodgers said after the game. “When you go out there and execute practice like we did this week, it gives you the confidence to be able to make some of those plays.”
That confidence translated into Rodgers’ most productive game of the year-284 passing yards, a touchdown, and a 67.6% completion rate. It wasn’t just a vintage performance from the four-time MVP; it was a timely one, pushing Pittsburgh to a 7-6 record and keeping them in control of a tightly contested division.
But Rodgers wasn’t just talking about Xs and Os. He was talking about tone-setting-about how having seasoned pros like Valdes-Scantling and Thielen on the field during the week elevated the entire group’s approach.
“I gotta think that Marquez and Adam out there made a difference from a professionalism standpoint,” Rodgers noted. “Not saying those other guys don’t have professionalism… Just think, there was an extra level of focus this week.”
Aaron Rodgers on the resurgence of Pittsburgh’s deep passing game … and how practice makes perfect. pic.twitter.com/MiKt8xQn8e
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) December 7, 2025
That’s a subtle but important distinction. Rodgers wasn’t throwing shade at the younger receivers-he was highlighting how valuable it is to have guys who’ve been through the wars, who know how to prepare, and who raise the bar for everyone else just by how they go about their business.
And that preparation paid off. The Steelers’ offense looked more in sync than it has in weeks, particularly in the passing game. Rodgers was decisive, the timing was clean, and the deep ball-which has been hit or miss this season-was finally hitting.
It’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the way the offense operated-efficient, confident, and composed against a Ravens defense that doesn’t give up much easily.
This wasn’t a fluke. It was the product of a team that practiced like it meant something, and then played like it.
With the win, the Steelers not only stay alive in the playoff hunt-they set a tone for what December football needs to look like. And if Rodgers is right about what led to this breakthrough, don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh leans even harder on its vets to lead the way down the stretch.