Aaron Rodgers and Steelers’ Sound Out on Late-Game Officiating Errors In Loss to Browns

Aaron Rodgers and his Pittsburgh Steelers had the chance to cement their position as AFC North kings with a win over Browns.

Aaron Rodgers and Steelers’ Sound Out on Late-Game Officiating Errors In Loss to Browns

Aaron Rodgers and Steelers could not score a TD against Browns (Image via Football Aktuell/X)

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Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, with the clear goal of winning their fourth straight game, which would further cement their playoff hopes.

The AFC North crown winner is still undecided after Derrick Henry and his offense ensured the Ravens’ hopes were still in place as they galloped over the Green Bay Packers earlier in the day. The Steelers were aware of this result and knew that only a win could prevent the Ravens from upsetting their late-season charge. The former also had the advantage of facing a division rival, which meant they were in a prime position to place one foot through the door.

The Browns, however, had too much pride to lose and ensured Aaron Rodgers and his offensive teammates could not do anything more than just a couple of field goals. As Shedeur Sanders and his unit put up enough points to give them a comfortable lead, the Steelers knew their late fourth-quarter drive was their last chance of stealing a win.

After the home team stopped the four-time league MVP from making anything on two of his throws at their own 7-yard line, Rodgers decided to go to Marquez Valdes-Scantling one more time.

That’s definitely interference.

Aaron Rodgers replied

This was the 42-year-old’s response when a reporter asked him if there was defensive pass interference on that failed 4th-down play. Aaron Rodgers’ reply is another shot at the NFL’s officiating, which has been wildly inconsistent over the years.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling agrees with Aaron Rodgers on no pass-interference call costing them the game

Aaron Rodgers had tried to connect with Marquez Valdes-Scantling on 2nd and 3rd down before that last-gasp attempt. But even then, the QB knew to trust his receiver on the final play to help get them to tie the game.

I got a pretty clean release on him, got on top of him. The ball went up, and he did a job of playing through me. I thought I should’ve got a call, but no call was made.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling told reporters

The two-time Super Bowl-winning WR believes Denzel Ward made enough contact on him on that fourth-down play to warrant a pass interference call.

The WR thinks that since he did a good job of leaving the Browns’ cornerback in the dust, the latter’s only move was to ‘play through him’, which should have been penalized. The 31-year-old may have felt that he was in a position to help his team score. Instead, due to the incomplete play, the Steelers now face a stressful situation with their playoff seeding on the line.

Had officials called pass interference, MVS and Aaron Rodgers would have had a fresh set of downs to attempt at tying the game and sending it to overtime.

DK Metcalf’s suspension hampering Steelers’ offense

Up until their previous Week 16 win, Aaron Rodgers knew he had the tools on offense to get his job done. That turned when star wideout DK Metcalf decided he had to teach a hostile fan a lesson.

Steelers are missing DK Metcalf's impact
Steelers are missing DK Metcalf’s impact (Image via Yahoo Sports/X)

That led to a two-game suspension, which has been upheld even though the Mississippi star has appealed. The franchise will not void $45 million in guarantees owed to their leading pass catcher, but the suspension is not helping matters.

It seems the Browns knew the Steelers’ lack of options on offense, and used that knowledge to stifle Aaron Rodgers and his unit all game long.

Then they also lost big man tight end Darnell Washington to injury after he suffered a broken arm against the Browns. Now, as they head into their season-finale winner-takes-the-division-crown game against the Baltimore Ravens, they wish Metcalf were at least available.

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