Aaron Rodgers: ‘We Won, But It’s Not Enough—Next Time, We Need to Dominate from Start to Finish’

After a hard-fought victory in Week 9, Aaron Rodgers made it clear that while the win was important, it wasn’t enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite the team’s 20-odd point performance against a top offense, Rodgers is demanding more from his squad moving forward. His message was direct and focused on improvement—something the veteran quarterback takes seriously.

“Yeah, we won, but this isn’t enough. We can do so much more. Scoring 20-odd points against a top offense? It’s acceptable this time, but we know we can be more efficient,” Rodgers said after the game. “We’ve got the talent, the tools, and the experience to put up bigger numbers. That’s the expectation moving forward—no more settling for mediocrity. We can’t rely on turnovers and defensive heroics every week to bail us out. Next time, we need to be sharper, execute better, and make sure we’re dominating from start to finish.”

Rodgers’ comments speak volumes about the Steelers’ current mindset. While the victory was solid, the team understands that they can’t rest on their laurels, especially if they aim to compete for the postseason. Rodgers, who has been known for his leadership and high standards, wants his team to be more consistent and more dominant moving forward.

The Steelers have shown flashes of brilliance this season, particularly with the defense stepping up to create turnovers and make big plays when needed. But Rodgers, who knows what it takes to win championships, understands that relying on the defense to bail out the offense is a dangerous proposition. The offense, led by Rodgers, needs to find ways to stay more consistent and efficient, particularly against high-powered teams.

The quarterback's message to his team is simple: no more mediocrity. The Steelers have the talent, depth, and coaching to be one of the best in the league, and Rodgers isn’t content with just getting by. He wants his team to take control of games from the start, execute at a high level, and avoid the mistakes that have held them back in previous seasons.

“I know we’re capable of more. We have the pieces,” Rodgers continued. “But we can’t let up. This league is too tough, and we’ll face teams that won’t let you off the hook. If we want to be at the top, we have to bring our best every single game. That’s how we get to where we want to be.”

Rodgers' leadership is exactly what the Steelers need as they continue to push for a playoff spot. His approach to the game, which focuses on constant improvement and setting high standards

As the season continues, the Steelers will have to find a way to execute better, particularly in critical moments, and avoid the inconsistency that’s plagued them in the past. With Rodgers at the helm, they are well-positioned to elevate their game. But as he made clear, they won’t get where they want to go by simply getting by—they need to dominate from start to finish, and

Mike Tomlin Declares Steelers Have 'Saved Their Season' After Stunning 27-20 Victory Over Colts

Just a week ago, it looked like the Pittsburgh Steelers had reached their lowest point of the season. A discouraging home loss to the Green Bay Packers on national television left fans frustrated and losing hope, but that narrative shifted on Sunday with a 27-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Steelers’ defense stepped up in a big way, holding the league’s top-ranked offense to its fewest points of the year while forcing six turnovers.

It felt like there was a completely different Steelers team on the field in Week 9 compared to the one we saw in Week 8. Despite a couple of hiccups, the defense played their best game of the season against the toughest opponent they’ve faced thus far in the Colts. 

In his postgame press conference, Head Coach Mike Tomlin praised his team’s energy and focus throughout the week, saying it was exactly the kind of response he wanted to see after a disappointing showing against Green Bay.

"It was a tough week, but we certainly deserved it based on the last performance," Tomlin said. "I like the way the guys absorbed it and smiled in the face of it and prepared and waited for the next opportunity, that's the National Football League. It’s a big-time win for the collective."

The Steelers certainly made the most of that opportunity. After going three straight games without forcing a single turnover, the defense exploded for six takeaways against the Colts, intercepting Daniel Jones three times and recovering three fumbles. It once again was a flash of how good this defense really can be.

Inside linebacker Payton Wilson had a monster performance, compiling 14 total tackles to go along with two passes defended and an interception in the first half that completely changed the game's momentum. Joey Porter Jr. had his best game of the season, despite a couple of penalties. Porter made eight tackles to go along with a sack while defending four passes and sealing the game with an interception late in the fourth quarter.

Perhaps what makes the defensive performance that much more impressive is the fact that the Steelers were down multiple key contributors. Cole Holcomb, Chuck Clark, DeShon Elliott, Cory Trice, and Jabrill Peppers all sat out Sunday's game with injuries and illness, but those who did suit up were able to fill their shoes in route to the win.

Offensively, it wasn't a flawless performance, but it was enough to get the win. The Steelers totaled only 225 yards of offense while committing one turnover, but the Steelers took advantage of Indianapolis' mistakes and were able to get points when it mattered most. Pittsburgh scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter as well as 10 points in the fourth quarter to build their lead, which ended up being the difference.

Steelers Might've Saved Their Season With Big Win Over Colts

The victory couldn’t have come at a better time. The Steelers snap their two-game losing streak and remain in first place in the AFC North. Pittsburgh still has some difficult opponents ahead of them, but this win certainly has to be a confidence booster for a team that really needed it. After back-to-back weeks of giving up 33+ points, the Steelers held the highest-scoring offense in the NFL to just 20 points, and held potential MVP candidate 

Jonathan Taylor to just 45 rushing yards.

If the Steelers can carry the momentum from Sunday’s performance, they could be back in the hunt for a top seed in the AFC. A huge win over a strong, legitimate contender can shift the team’s mindset and boost confidence, and they’ll need to ride that energy with tough opponents coming up on the schedule.

Continue reading