Week 1 What We Learned: Aaron Rodgers Looking Everything of Prime Aaron Rodgers

Week 1 Post-Game Buzz

• Week 1 Thriller Summary: The Steelers secured a dramatic 34-32 victory against the Jets, highlighted by Chris Boswell’s 60-yard go-ahead field goal and Jalen Ramsey’s game-ending hit.
• Prime Aaron Rodgers? Aaron Rodgers looked the part with four touchdowns, showcasing his command at the line of scrimmage and his ability to see the entire field at full speed, reaffirming his prime form is still there.
• More Rodgers Buzz: Rodgers’ vision at the line allowed the Steelers’ offense to adapt and exploit the Jets D even with limited support from the running game and offensive line struggles.
• ‘We Have a QB’: Cam Heyward praised Rodgers’ exceptional ability to sling the ball and his overall performance in Week 1, emphasizing the Steelers finally have a QB
• Concerns about Offensive Line: The most alarming issue post-game was the offensive line’s poor performance, which got beaten both inside and out, raising concerns about Rodgers’ health and protection.

Steelers – Jets What We Learned:

Aaron Rodgers Looking Everything of Prime Aaron Rodgers

Player of the Game | QB Aaron Rodgers

22/30, 244 Yards, 4 Touchdowns

A 4 Touchdown Masterpiece from Aaron Rodgers with No Running Game and a putrid performance from the O-Line. It wasn’t just the four TD day from Rodgers. It was all the little things with it. Rodgers command at the line of scrimmage is something few QBs can bring to the table the way he can. Another striking difference with Rodgers is how well he can see the entire field at full speed. That became a primary issue with the Steelers offense late last season. Russell Wilson and the offense could not exploit defenses when the deep ball or short dump offs were taken away. Even on plays that didn’t connect, Rodgers was just a step ahead of the Jets with his eyes. The Steelers in signing Rodgers believed the Four-Time MVP can still beat defenses with his arm but also with his eyes, an element they haven’t had in almost 10 years. Both were strikingly on display in the week 1 win. Another great sign was the mix of Arthur Smith’s offense combined with Rodgers doing what he’s done for 20 years out of the shotgun.

“Man we got a freaking quarterback who could sling the ball around and deliver. Man he was special today,” Cam Heyward said.

Among the burning questions after the win, can the O-Line Keep Rodgers healthy throughout the season?

That was the most alarming aspect of the win. The unit got beat inside and out as Rodgers was sacked four times.

• Left Tackle Broderick Jones continues to look like a bust
• LG Isaac Seumalo had an extremely poor game in the run department

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Steelers D Makes Justin Fields, Jets Look Elite?

The Jets gashed the Steelers for 182 Yards on the ground, and it opened the door for Justin Fields to do Justin Fields things as the threat of the running game just opened up so much time and space in the passing game.

• NYJ 13 Rushing 1st Downs to Pittsburgh’s 2
• Justin Fields 16/22, 218 passing yards, 1 TD | 48 Rushing Yards, 2 TD
• 3rd Down: NYJ 7/14

Unlike the offensive line, for one week you can chalk it up as just an off game but this group looks nothing like a legendary group the head coach was talking about in August

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Underrated Rated Performer of Week 1:

RB Kenneth Gainwell | “Can’t say enough about Kenny G, that offensive player making a tackle on kickoff and knocking that ball loose, Tomlin Said. ” It’s just an example of making plays in all three phases and being a football player first and a positional player second

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