While the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense struggled against the New York Jets in Week 1, things couldn't have gone any better for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense.
We saw vintage Rodgers on Sunday, with the future Hall of Fame quarterback completing 22-of-30 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns to no picks.
It was the best performance we've seen at quarterback for the Steelers in quite some time and Rodgers led Pittsburgh to its first 30-point game in a Week 1 contest in nearly a decade (2016).
"There's a lot of garbage being talked about myself or Arthur out there," Rodgers said. "How are we going to co-exist. We got a great relationship, and he called a really good game. I've got to play a lot better in spots, but happy to be 1-0.
If not for the defense's performance, the Steelers likely would have been sitting in a higher spot in the NFL power rankings of experts. Even still, Pittsburgh is doing just fine for itself going into Week 2.
NFL power rankings Week 2
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: 15 (+1)
Johnson: "We’ll start with the glass-half-full perspective for the Pittsburgh Steelers. At 41 years old, quarterback Aaron Rodgers (244 yards, 4-0 TD-INT and 136.7 QB rating) delivered his best performance since Week 10 of the 2022 season. The four-time MVP showed good chemistry with DK Metcalf, and wide receiver Calvin Austin III made some big plays in the Steelers’ 34-32 win.
Cody Williams, FanSided: 14 (no change)
Williams: "You simply have to give credit where it’s due and, in the Steelers’ case, that’s Aaron Rodgers. While he might not be the dynamic athlete at quarterback that he was during his prime with the Packers, he looks healthy again and Pittsburgh’s offense is reaping the benefits. Frankly, it was a bit jarring to see the offense have to bail out the defense, especially against the Jets. However, if that means the Steelers have that type of performance in the arsenal this season, then being a bit higher on Pittsburgh with room to move up further certainly feels right."
Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports: 11 (no change)
Wirth: "Vintage Aaron Rodgers showed up today. Unc has still got it. Pittsburgh's defense giving up 30-plus points to the Jets, though, is concerning."
K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire: 10 (+5)
MORE NFL NEWS
- Cowboys star sick over Micah Parsons' first Packers sack
- Lions rookie WR goes full Odell Beckham with TD catch
- Check out Micah Parsons' first Packers sack
- Aaron Rodgers had the perfect response to getting revenge on Jets
- Aaron Rodgers calls out 'garbage' media narrative after beating Jets
- Chargers' Ladd McConkey calls out Ryan Clark over Justin Herbert comment