Copyright New York Post
Things unraveled for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers on “Sunday Night Football.” With the Steelers trailing the Chargers in the fourth quarter, 22-3, with just under nine minutes to play, Rodgers hit wide receiver Calvin Austin III in the hands on a slant route in what should have been an easy, 10-yard completion. Instead, the ball popped up off Austin’s hands and was intercepted by Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson, all but ending the game in an otherwise listless performance by coach Mike Tomlin’s group. Cameras panned to Rodgers after the play, with NFL lip readers suggesting he dropped an F-bomb in Austin’s direction along the lines of, “F–king Austin dropped it again,” per Larry Brown Sports. Even NBC Sports color commentator Cris Collinsworth offered choice words about the pick. “Ouch,” Collinsworth said right after the interception. “We’ve been talking about it. They needed not just a third receiver, but they need a second receiver in this offense. Aaron loves these guys. Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson. They’re working with them, they’re trying to find that No. 2. But if you wonder why they’ve been playing so much two and three tight end this year. There’s your answer.” The Steelers went on to score a garbage-time touchdown in the 25-10 road loss and fell to 5-4 on the season — putting them just one game up on the Ravens. Rodgers, 41, had a performance to forget, completing 16-of-31 attempts for 161 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, not to mention a passer rating of 50.6. “I didn’t play very good at all,” Rodgers said postgame. “I gotta play better. … We’ve got four division games left. It’s a long season.” The Steelers return to Pittsburgh next week to host the Bengals, followed by a visit to Baltimore on Dec. 7 against the Ravens.
