The Pittsburgh Steelers are knocking on the door of an AFC North title, and Aaron Rodgers isn’t losing sleep over how it might happen - even if it’s out of his hands.
Rodgers and the Steelers could clinch the division before they even take the field Sunday, thanks to a little help from Rodgers’ old squad. If the Green Bay Packers beat the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh would lock up its first division crown since 2020, rendering their Week 17 matchup with the struggling Cleveland Browns essentially meaningless in the standings.
But Rodgers isn’t treating it that way.
“I’m preparing to play and excited about playing,” he said, making it clear that no matter what happens Saturday, his mindset isn’t changing.
That’s been the tone for Pittsburgh down the stretch. Winners of three straight, the Steelers have guaranteed themselves a 19th consecutive winning season - a remarkable run of consistency.
But they still have work to do if they want to move up from the likely No. 4 seed in the AFC. To climb any higher, they’d need to beat both Cleveland and Baltimore, and hope Jacksonville and Houston drop their remaining games.
Not impossible, but far from likely.
Still, the potential division title would be a milestone for Rodgers. It would mark his ninth as a starting quarterback, tying him with Joe Montana for third all-time.
Only Peyton Manning (12) and Tom Brady (19) have more. Not bad company.
On the other side of the ball, the Browns have their own piece of history in sight. Myles Garrett is just one sack away from breaking the NFL’s single-season record.
With 22 sacks already, Garrett is chasing the 22.5 mark shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
And there’s a bit of extra motivation: Garrett has never sacked Rodgers in two previous meetings. Doing it now - while setting the record - would be a moment worth framing.
“He’s legendary himself and it’s a legendary record,” Garrett said. “I’m here to chase him.
That would be a great one to put a picture on the wall with. He’s going to make it difficult, but I feel like I am very capable of fighting through everything and have some teammates who can free me up.”
Garrett will be up against a quarterback who’s been one of the hardest to get to all season. Rodgers has been pressured on just 21.9% of his dropbacks - the lowest rate in the league - and he’s getting the ball out in a hurry, averaging just 2.63 seconds per throw. That quick release and veteran savvy make him a tough target for even the best pass rushers.
“You’re not going to fool a player of that caliber who has seen so much defense,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “You feel at times watching the tape that he’s one step ahead of the defense. He’s able to see things so quickly.”
The Steelers will be without a major weapon in DK Metcalf, who’s been suspended for the final two games following an altercation with a fan in Detroit last week. It’s a frustrating end to a down year for Metcalf, who will finish with a career-low 850 receiving yards and just 59 catches - his fewest since his rookie season in 2019.
But Pittsburgh’s offense isn’t built around one star. Rodgers has spread the wealth all season, with 11 different players catching touchdown passes - tied for most in the league. That balanced approach will be key as veterans Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling step into larger roles.
“I think there’s a lot of guys on this offense that can make plays,” Thielen said. “Whether it’s the tight end room - I think there’s a lot of versatility there - running back room … and then in the receiver room, just a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things.”
Cleveland, meanwhile, is limping into this one. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is already without lead running back Quinshon Judkins, who suffered a season-ending leg injury last week. Now, tight end Harold Fannin - Sanders’ top target - is a game-time decision with a groin injury suffered during Friday’s practice.
Fannin has been a breakout star in a tough season for the Browns. He leads all NFL rookies in receptions (70), is tied for third in touchdown grabs (five), and ranks fourth in receiving yards (701). His absence would be a significant blow to an already undermanned offense.
To make matters more uncertain, backup quarterback Dillon Gabriel injured his shoulder Friday, which could force Cleveland to elevate Bailey Zappe from the practice squad to serve as Sanders’ backup.
Pittsburgh’s ground game has been a steady force, thanks to the one-two punch of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. The duo has combined for over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns this season, forming one of the most productive backfield tandems in the league.
There’s no clear “RB1” in Pittsburgh, and that’s exactly how offensive coordinator Arthur Smith likes it.
“There’s a lot of trust in those players,” Smith said.
Warren, who signed a modest extension before the season, and Gainwell, who came over on a one-year deal after four seasons in Philly, have embraced the shared spotlight. Their chemistry and unselfishness have helped shape one of the most balanced offenses in football. Eight different Steelers have at least 150 scrimmage yards this season - a testament to how this unit spreads the ball and keeps defenses guessing.
So, while Saturday’s result in Green Bay could determine how much is at stake on Sunday, don’t expect the Steelers to ease off the gas. Rodgers is locked in.
The offense is clicking. And the defense, even without T.J.
Watt, is facing a rookie quarterback behind a depleted offense.
There’s still football to play - and Pittsburgh’s playing like a team that wants to make every snap count.