Get this, folks: Baker Mayfield is officially sidelined for at least three weeks with a thumb injury, and that means the Pittsburgh Steelers are catching a massive break against the Buccaneers on October 18. This isn’t just a minor blip for Tampa Bay; their Pro Bowl quarterback is out, and an undrafted rookie is stepping in. Suddenly, the Steelers’ upcoming schedule, which already looked promising, just got a whole lot more interesting.
Rodgers vs. The Field: Advantage Pittsburgh
Let’s be real, even at 42, Aaron Rodgers is still an elite decision-maker and can dissect defenses with the best of them. Yeah, he’s got limitations with his age and an offensive line that’s still finding its rhythm, but the guy can absolutely outplay any opponent on any given Sunday. The Steelers usually don’t get to boast a quarterback advantage in this division, especially when you’ve got Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson around, but the next five games before their bye week? That’s a different story. Mike McCarthy and Rodgers are facing a run of quarterbacks where, on paper, Pittsburgh is coming out on top. They’ve got Deshaun Watson twice, Daniel Jones, Jalon Daniels, and Tyler Shough. Rodgers himself, despite a 58.4 completion percentage and four touchdowns in three games, has been playing better than the numbers suggest, taking care of the football with only two interceptions so far. He’s primed for this stretch.
Meet the Opposition: A Mixed Bag of QBs
So, who are the Steelers lining up against? First, Jalon Daniels. This undrafted rookie from Kansas is set to start for the Bucs now that Mayfield is out. He saw some action relieving Mayfield against Minnesota on the last drive, going 0-for-3 with an interception to seal the game. That’s a tough spot for a first-timer. Then there’s Daniel Jones for the Colts, who rehabbed his Achilles injury from last December to be ready for Week 1. But it’s been a rough go for him; he’s got three touchdown passes to five turnovers, including three interceptions and two lost fumbles, with a 66.3 completion percentage and an 80.8 quarterback rating. Not exactly inspiring stuff.
Next, you’ve got Tyler Shough from the Saints, and honestly, he might be the best of this bunch. The 2025 second-round pick is playing well, already has nine total touchdowns, and is averaging a solid 305.7 passing yards per game. Plus, he’s a legit threat on the ground, rushing for 67 yards through three games. He’s definitely one to watch. Finally, there’s Deshaun Watson, who the Steelers will face twice. Man, his journey has been a rollercoaster, from getting booed by Cleveland fans in preseason to his owner, Jimmy Haslam, calling the trade a “big swing and a miss.” After a brutal 34-10 loss to the Jaguars, Watson and the Browns have actually bounced back with two straight wins and are now tied with the “big three” in the AFC North. In his last two games, Watson is 40-for-60 passing for 388 yards, four touchdowns, and zero turnovers. So, he’s not to be underestimated, especially with that recent momentum.
The Steelers are about to embark on a five-game stretch before their bye week, and it starts with Watson and the Browns. This is a massive opportunity for Rodgers and the whole Pittsburgh squad to capitalize on these matchups and really stack some wins. It’s all about seizing the moment, man, and this schedule looks like it’s handing them exactly that chance.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
Leave a Reply