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Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers owns missed throws in brutal SNF loss to Chargers
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- Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers owns missed throws in brutal SNF loss to Chargers
The post Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers owns missed throws in brutal SNF loss to Chargers appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Pittsburgh Steelers ' offensive woes under prime-time lights persisted Sunday night as quarterback Aaron Rodgers labored through a 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
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Nearing his 42nd birthday, Rodgers finished 16-of-31 for 161 yards, with one touchdown, two interceptions, and a 50.6 passer rating, his lowest of the season. Rodgers' 51.6% completion rate was his worst since 2020, and his 50.6 passer rating ranks as the fifth-lowest of his career in a full game. He admitted postgame that several throws went awry , saying:
"A lot of stuff wasn't working. We were bad on third down. I was just a little bit off, missed DK [Metcalf] early, could've been a big play. Little high to Jonnu [Smith]. But yeah, we didn't run the ball super effectively in the first half. I missed, obviously, some throws, for sure. And then we weren't getting guys open and couldn't put it all together. Times guys were open, I missed the throws that I usually make.
"Our defense played really well tonight. Offensively, we were pretty bad. So, we've got to find a way to get open on third down, I've got to find a way to hit 'em, because that was just some bad ball."
Pittsburgh opened the night with early energy, with Chris Boswell converting a 59-yard field goal, his 50th career 50+ yard kick in 60 attempts, giving the Steelers a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter.
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However, control of the game shifted when Rodgers fumbled in the end zone on a third-and-7 snap from the Pittsburgh 9-yard line. Khalil Mack recovered in the end zone for a safety, cutting the Steelers' lead to 3-2.
The first half was a nightmare for Pittsburgh's offense. Rodgers completed only 7-of-14 passes for 64 yards, with one interception. The interception came when Rodgers overthrew DK Metcalf , leading to RJ Mickens' pick that set up Justin Herbert 's 15-yard touchdown to Ladd McConkey just before halftime.
The Steelers entered the break with just 85 total yards, three first downs, and a 0-for-6 mark on third downs.
Pittsburgh rallied momentarily in the fourth quarter with Jaylen Warren 's screen pass for 18 yards to the LA 14-yard line, but the drive stalled. Rodgers missed a checkdown to Kenneth Gainwell and then threw incompletions to Metcalf in double coverage, leading to a turnover on downs.
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The Chargers pounced on the chance immediately, with McConkey catching a 58-yard pass and Kimani Vidal running in a 2-yard touchdown, ensuring the Steelers couldn't catch up. Vidal finished with 95 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Herbert completed 20 of 33 passes for 220 yards and a score.
Warren rushed efficiently for 70 yards on 14 carries (5.0 yards per attempt), yet Pittsburgh went 0-for-9 on third downs, a deciding factor in the defeat.
The black-and-gold defense performed stoutly, with Patrick Queen recording 12 tackles and Alex Highsmith contributing two sacks.
The Steelers, now 4-5, will host the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday in Week 11.
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