The Pittsburgh Steelers lost on a chance to clinch the AFC North and now will face the Baltimore Ravens in a do-or-die game in the season finale.
But before the teams can meet, quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be facing some NFL punishment for his comments on Sunday’s loss.
The Steelers struggled on offense in the 10-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, which included a controversial no-call in the closing seconds as the Steelers were trying for the go-ahead touchdown. Rodgers made his feelings about the officiating known after the game, which could put him in some hot water with the NFL.
Aaron Rodgers Calls Out Officials, Could Face Fine
Speaking to reporters after the game, Rodgers said he believes the Browns interfered with wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on one of the final plays of the game.
âThat was definitely interference,â Rodgers said. âIâll have to look at the film on second and third down.â
The Steelers reached a first-and-goal in the closing seconds, but failed to reach the endzone on four plays, allowing the Browns to hold on for the win.
The NFL regularly issues fines for players who criticize officials, including a $25,000 fine for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. The wide receiver criticized officials during a livestream in comments similar to what Rodgers said after Sunday’s game.
“Some of the rules aren’t … These guys want to be … these guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV too,” Nacua said, via NFL.com. “You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you guys just saw me on Sunday Night Football. That wasn’t P.I., but I called it.’ ”
Rodgers has been fined before, taking a $11,255 penalty last year for a late hit on Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford following a Week 17 interception.
Aaron Rodgers Confident in Make-or-Break Game
Despite the struggles in the team’s loss to the Browns, Rodgers said he was confident that the Steelers could turn things around in the season finale against the Ravens.
âIÂ have full confidence weâll go home and win next week. . .. Weâve done it all season,â Rodgers said. âWeâve handled adversity well. When we had to play our best ball we did, other than today.â
It’s not clear yet whether Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will be cleared to play after his team’s win over the Packers. Jackson was knocked out of the team’s game in Dec. 21 with a back injury.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said the team will know later in the week how close Jackson is to returning.
“He’s coming off a very serious injury and he’s working at it,” Harbaugh said, via ESPN. “I think we’ll know a lot more on Wednesday [when the Ravens return to practice].”
Harbaugh added that Jackson showed progress leading up to last week’s game, which is a good sign for the season finale.
“It was not good at all early in the week, and it improved as the week went on,” Harbaugh said. “That was cause for optimism.”
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