Standing atop the AFC North at 9-6, the Steelers Nation has its eyes glued to the screen as Rich Eisen’s words sliced tension like a fourth-quarter sack. Pittsburgh’s recent years paint a grim picture of hovering around .500 records. The quarterback position has been immensely unstable and poor, with one-and-done playoff exits. Yet, this year feels different thanks to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who’s slinging his best ball in years. Perhaps, there’s hope that Eisen highlighted, urging fans not to give up. 

“I wasn’t feeling so comfortable about telling the Steelers fans to relax because Aaron Rodgers had already said, ‘I’m not telling them to relax. We’re good,’” said Eisen on The Rich Eisen Show. 

“I’ll be honest with you, with them going six and six and then beating the Ravens, I was wondering if this was going to turn out any different than the last handful of seasons in Pittsburgh, where they limp into the playoffs and get one and done in the playoffs.” 

Highlighting the Steelers’ past losses, two seasons ago, fans had all their hopes tied to Kenny Pickett, but he got injured four games into the season. He was replaced by veteran Mitch Trubisky for a few games before Mason Rudolph eventually took over and made it to the playoffs. However, the Buffalo Bills got them eliminated during the Wild Card Round. 

They suffered a similar fate in 2024, eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens with Russell Wilson in the lead. Each time a starter gave the team some hope, it was crushed in the opening playoff matchup. However, the air about Rodgers in command feels different. 

“Aaron Rodgers is playing some of his best football in a handful of years,” admitted Eisen. “He is just making plays neck up, nimble in the pocket. He’s locked in. And just like some of those Packers years, where you look at the roster outside of Davante Adams, you’re like, ‘Who else is he throwing to?’ They’re all making plays for him now. All of them.” 

The 42-year-old not only contributed but also carried the majority of the game against the Lions. Perhaps it was the revenge fire against a team that got Green Bay out of playoff contention during Rodgers’s last year with the franchise. Regardless, he didn’t let the Detroit defenders get to him, finishing at 26-of-41 for 266 yards and a touchdown. 

If we go by the data (the NFL’s Playoff Picture Prediction model), the Week 16 win has increased the Steelers’ playoff odds to 76% from 74%. A loss would have reduced it to a tough 54%. They have a three-game winning streak going on, and if they stretch to five, not only will they win the divisional title, but finish among the top four playoff seeds. 

While Rodgers has the offense firing on all cylinders, that ceiling might have just gotten lower, as the team’s playoff push has hit a major snag with the suspension of a key player.

DK Metcalf declared out for the season 

Following the Steelers’ victory, wide receiver DK Metcalf had a tense altercation with a fan, and the league didn’t take the incident lightly. As a punishment, the NFL has imposed a two-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct, meaning that the Steelers will be without Metcalf for the remaining two games of 2025.  

So, Ryan Kennedy, a Lions fan, decked out in a blue wig and Detroit’s colors, was seen in a heated discussion during the second quarter of the game. What followed was Kennedy leaning over the railing, with his wig falling over his head and covering his face, with Metcalf trying to reach for him with his right arm. However, the WR didn’t appear to make much contact and continued playing. 

Top Stories

Cowboys Fire Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus: Contract, Salary, NFL Earnings & More

Russell Wilson Announces Retirement Stance as Giants QB Shares Hidden Injury News

Dolphins Reportedly Indecisive About Mike McDaniel as GM Search Kicks Off

Joe Flacco Makes Retirement Decision Clear as Bengals QB’s Final Gesture for Ja’Marr Chase Draws Attention

Brian Schottenheimer Calls Out Controversial Jaxson Dart Incident as Cowboys Star Awaits NFL Punishment

Although the WR skipped talking to the reporters after the game, during the team’s 45-minute media availability, and instead spoke with former NFL star Chad Ochocinco. During the conversation, Metcalf revealed that the fan hurled a racial slur and insulted his mother.

However, Ryan Kennedy “categorically denies” these claims as reported by his lawyers. Head coach Mike Tomlin did acknowledge hearing some whispers about the incident on Sunday, but admitted he hadn’t witnessed or spoken to Metcalf yet. Since the suspension, neither the team nor the receiver has made any comments.