Aaron Rodgers pulls off ‘Last Dance’ with Steelers, plus game balls and gaffes from NFL Week 6

Don’t look now, but the pieces are falling into place for Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When four times NFL MVP decided that he would head to the Steel City for his final stop NFL Before mandatory minicamp started this summer, I wasn’t in a rush to put them in Super Bowl conversation. After all, Rodgers, 41, was seemingly heading toward the finish line of his career. His two-year stint with the New York Jets was marked by a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon in 2023 and then a 2024 campaign where we saw him post career lows (as a starter) in yards per attempt (6.7) and passer rating (90.5).

If this is who Pittsburgh starts under in 2025, it will be an upgrade in name only while still producing average results at the position the organization has held over the past few years.

But let’s call it like we see it: In six weeks, Rodgers has played for us Steadily on to the “Last Dance” hour..

After beating the Cleveland Browns in Week 6, Pittsburgh finds itself 4-1 on the year and atop the AFC North. As for his park, Rodgers completed 21 of 30 throws in the win for 235 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions against one of the NFL’s toughest defenses. This is the third time this season that Rodgers has posted a passer rating of at least 115.0, and his third multi-pass touchdown day.

On the year, Rodgers threw for 1,021 yards, 10 touchdowns, three interceptions, and had a passer rating of 105.4. Rodgers’ current touchdown pace of 34 passes would be the seventh-highest of his career, which is also in line with his passer rating if it continues. While this isn’t an old MVP version of Rodgers reborn in Pittsburgh, it is much closer to the average production of his career, which could be enough for the Steelers in 2025.

However, he still sprinkled in some of those Hall of Fame-worthy throws.

Rodgers’ leverage has proven to be a smashing success for the Steelers, but they’re also getting some luck outside the organization. Seas parted in the AFC North with injuries paving a smooth path to a division title win. Joe Burrow was sidelined until at least December, which prompted the Bengals to trade for Joe Flacco and has since fallen to 2-4 after a loss to the Packers. Meanwhile, injuries have also dampened the morale of the Baltimore Ravens, who have been without Lamar Jackson for the past two games and are now 1-5 entering their bye week. And Cleveland is fine… Cleveland.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1)

2. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)

3. Baltimore Ravens (1-5)

4. Cleveland Browns (1-5)

This is the cushion they have built, and they are now the betting favorite (-125) to win the AFC North Championship. Their improved play on defense in recent weeks, coupled with the play they are receiving from Rodgers, should help them navigate the rest of the season. At this point, if they don’t host a playoff game this winter, there’s a much bigger conversation that likely needs to be had.

However, so far, Rodgers’ experience in Pittsburgh has left doubters looking foolish, and with a depleted AFC, they are one of the most dangerous teams in the conference right now. Rodgers may have a chance to end his career in earnest Super Bowl The push, which seemed impossible after his offseason divorce with the Jets a few months ago.

Whispers: They are +1700 (FanDuel Sportsbook) to win the AFC, behind teams like the Ravens and Jaguars.

Game balls

• Statistics for the sixth week: 30 carries, 183 yards; 4 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD

The title “Revenge Game” is often overused, but it held true in this contest for Rico Doodle. The veteran linebacker was competing against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, for whom he spent the first five seasons of his career. This offseason, Dallas elected to sign Javonte Williams in free agency, completely replacing Dowdle, who later went on to sign with Carolina. Chuba Hubbard filled in for the second week in a row, Highly motivated Dowdle dominated his former team and helped the Panthers to a 30-27 win.

Dowdle’s 239 yards from scrimmage were the most in a player’s first game against his former team in NFL history.

• Statistics for the sixth week: 7 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD

It’s been a quiet start to the season for McConkey, who was averaging just 42.6 yards per game entering Week 6. Well, the second year went back to his old ways with a 100-yard blast in Los Angeles’ thrilling win over the Miami Dolphins. It wasn’t just a strong statistical showing from McConkey, though, as he made the most decisive play of the afternoon, hauling in a 42-yard reception to set up the game-winning field goal.

• Statistics for the sixth week: 18 carries, 124 yards; 3 catches, 14 yards, 1 TD

2024 sixth-round pick Troy made his first career start on Sunday, and it’s safe to say he was probably guaranteed more playing time. Vidal exploded for 124 yards on the ground, which was of course a career high. Going into Week 6, Vidal had a career-high 173 rushing yards. It’s the third-most rushing yards on a first-time career start in franchise history.

• Statistics for the sixth week: 18 of 26 passing, 261 yards, 3 TDs

We’re knocking on the door about Drake Maye as a potential MVP candidate. The Patriots quarterback moved his club to 4-2 on the season after besting the New Orleans Saints in Week 6. In the win, Maye operated again, completing 69.2% of his passes for a 140.1 passer rating.

What was impressive about Maye’s performance this week was that he showed off his explosive energy with his arm. As he pointed out Next generation statisticsall three of Maye’s touchdown throws came on passes of 20+ air yards while the young QB was facing pressure.

• Statistics for the sixth week: 6 catches, 162 yards, 1 TD

I hope you took Jackson Smith-Njigba there Lead the NFL in receiving yards When I suggested it a few weeks ago, when it was +600. The Seahawks wide receiver is solidly entering star mode and is a legitimate OPOY candidate through six weeks, including this performance in Seattle’s win over Jacksonville. As he pointed out Next generation statisticsSmith-Njigba caught four of his five targets down the field of 10+ air yards for 131 yards and a touchdown. He now has a league-leading 550 yards on downfield targets this season.

Smith-Njigba’s 696 yards are the most over six games in a season in franchise history.

The most prominent mistakes of the sixth week

New York Jets

Yes, we are putting full privilege in this section. The Jets fell to 0-6 on the season in embarrassing fashion in Week 6, falling to the Broncos in London, 13-11. Most of the Jets’ issues have been on the offensive side of the ball. Justin Fields simply isn’t the answer at quarterback after completing just nine of his 17 pass attempts for 45 yards in the losing effort. When you count the yardage lost on his nine sacks, Fields finished the game with -10 net yards. Fields simply held the ball too long, or receivers consistently fouled because of it, or were sacked.

While the Fields experiment certainly failed, the Aaron Glenn experiment may have failed as well. The Jets’ first-year head coach made a number of questionable decisions throughout the contest, but none were as egregious as the final moments of regulation. Remarkably, New York had a chance to win the game with an offensive possession at the Denver 44-yard line with just over a minute to play. Facing a fourth-and-8 situation, Glenn decided to keep his offense down the field instead of opting for a 62-yard field goal. As you would expect, the results were disastrous.

If the offense showed any signs of life throughout the game, I could somewhat see the logic behind that, but that was not the case at all here. Nick Faulk, who has scored 51, 58 and 52 this season, offered a much better chance to win the game.

Butterfingers from Zay Flowers

The Baltimore Ravens have hit rock bottom, falling to 1-5 on the season with a defeat at the hands of the Rams. While the offense will be limited with Cooper Rush starting in place of the injured Lamar Jackson, Flowers hasn’t done his club any favors. The wideout was involved in two fumbles on consecutive possessions. When Los Angeles led 10-3 in the third quarter, Flowers caught a pass from the Rush, but the football was punted and recovered by the Rams, who proceeded to extend their lead with a touchdown on the ensuing possession.

On Baltimore’s next possession, Rush and Flowers were not on the same page on the handoff, and the ball hit the ground again as Los Angeles recovered. Rush was credited with the confusion, but Flowers didn’t help matters.

Juwan Johnson flounders in Saints comeback hopes

The Saints are pretty much stuck in their rivalry with the Patriots, despite being underdogs at home. However, they were unable to put New England on alert, despite having two chances late in the game. Trailing by just six points at the 8:50 mark of the fourth quarter, the Saints had the football on their own 36-yard line when Spencer Rattler completed a 14-yard pass to put Juwan Johnson at midfield. When Johnson was down at the 50-yard line, he punted the football, and the Patriots were able to recover.

This allowed New England to burn nearly three minutes off the game clock and eventually pin New Orleans on the 10-yard line for what would be their final and unproductive possession.

Cam Ward is dirty in football

In all, the Tennessee Titans’ quarterback had three turnovers on the day. Ward threw one interception and lost two fumbles in a winnable game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Instead, it was a 20-10 defeat to drop to 1-5 on the season. The icing on the cake was Ward’s final turnover with less than a minute left in regulation. Ward simply knocked the football out of his hands and the Raiders raced to the recovery.

…not exactly the No. 1 choice of show genre overall.

Penalty kick results in an interception by Mac Jones

San Francisco found itself down by eight, but was threatening the football on the Tampa Bay 29-yard line with six minutes to play. Facing a fourth-and-1 situation, Kyle Shanahan kept their offense on the field, but a foul penalty by goalie Dominique Bonnie pushed them back four yards. The offense stayed on the field, but instead of running the football as they likely would have done before the penalty, Mac Jones dropped back to pass the ball. His throw was short and was caught by Jamal Dean’s corner to eliminate the last real chance of a comeback.

Two-minute training

Here are some quick notes/notes from week 6:

• The injuries to the Buccaneers’ receiving room are only improving MVP Baker Mayfield’s resume. If/when Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbua get together on the field at the same time, pay attention.
• The Cowboys have one of the most exciting offenses in the NFL, but that only helps fantasy owners. Their defense will keep them from making the playoffs if they don’t fix that in a hurry.
• Even in loss, Joe Flacco was impressive in his Bengals debut. This is just more evidence that Cincinnati should have improved their quarterback situation sooner than they did.
• Matthew Golden (three catches for 86 yards) is starting for the Packers, which could have huge ramifications for the second half of the season.
• Carolina sneaks a 3-0 lead at home this season.
• Dillon Gabriel threw the ball 52 times in Week 6, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. Shedor Sanders should start loosening his arm.
• Jacoby Brissett’s performance (320 yards passing, two touchdowns, one interception) isn’t doing Kyler Murray any favors.
• Jonathan Taylor is the best player in the NFL right now (and that includes Cam Scatepo).
• The Broncos were bad today offensively, but the Jets’ issues masked just how bad they looked.
• If Philly doesn’t get back to winning ways quickly, the AJ Brown buzz will increase and could reach the point of no return.
• Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen saved their jobs by bringing in Jackson Dart.