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Aaron Rodgers angrily shoves 311-pound Steelers OT for tackling him in celebration

The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line managed to bring Aaron Rodgers down more than the Cincinnati Bengals did in "Thursday Night Football" this week.

As the 41-year-old quarterback celebrated a go-ahead, 68-yard touchdown to tight end Pat Freiermuth, he was joined by left tackle Broderick Jones. Both players were amped, but enjoyed the moment in very different ways.

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Rodgers triumphantly skipped with his arm in the air and let out a shot. Then Jones hopped on him with almost his full body weight, causing both men to come crashing down. Rodgers, to put it mildly, was not thrilled as he got up, giving Jones a shove before being pushed back by quarterbacks coach Tom Arth.

Given how much it's drilled into defensive players to not touch the quarterback in practice, we can only wonder what an offensive lineman is told when he takes down a passer in his 40s.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 12: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs on to the field prior to the NFL 2025 game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
The Steelers probably don't want offensive linemen roughhousing with a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers.
Lauren Leigh Bacho via Getty Images

Unfortunately for Rodgers and the Steelers, they also weren't celebrating a game-winning touchdown. The Freiermuth play put them ahead 31-30, but it left the Bengals enough time to drive down the field and make an easy field goal to win the game 33-31.

The Steelers got the ball back with seven seconds, and the game ended with Rodgers launching a ball nearly 70 yards downfield for a Hail Mary that was batted down in the end zone.

Rodgers finished the game 23-of-34 for 249 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, which wasn't enough to counter a superb night for Joe Flacco (342 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions). The Bengals' defense finished the game with zero sacks.

The upset loss pushed the Steelers' record to 4-2, still good enough for first place in the AFC North.

As for Jones, he's a former first-round pick, going 14th overall in 2023, who was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the No. 61 offensive tackle out of 76 players this season. Fortunately for him, that Rodgers run-in probably won't count against him.

Thursday Night Football: Bengals upset Steelers 33-31 on a late field goal

Mike Tomlin made it clear this week that he was upset with Browns General Manager Andrew Berry for trading quarterback Joe Flacco within the division. Now, we know why.

Flacco led the Bengals to an improbable 33-31 upset of the Steelers on Thursday Night Football. The Steelers fall to 4-2, while the Bengals improve to 3-4.

In one of the most entertaining games of the season, the Steelers led by 10 with 10:26 left in the second quarter and the Bengals by 10 with 14:57 left in the fourth quarter. It took Evan McPherson's 36-yard field goal with 7 seconds left, and then Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary pass to hit the ground on the final play before it was decided.

Rodgers celebrated as if he had his 25th career fourth-quarter comeback after throwing a 68-yard touchdown pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter. It came on a second-and-20 play after a holding penalty on Broderick Jones.

But the Steelers left too much time on the clock for Flacco, who drove the Bengals 52 yards in eight plays. Tee Higgins could have scored a touchdown with 1:39 left but slid down at the Pittsburgh 7 after a 28-yard gain. It allowed the Bengals to run down the clock, leaving too little time left for Rodgers to secure that comeback.

The Steelers will lament their self-inflicted wounds, including two interceptions thrown by Rodgers. They also had a touchdown overturned on a holding penalty on center Zach Frazier and ended up settling for a field goal after a false start on offensive lineman Mason McCormick on a fourth-and-1 play.

Flacco was the hero, completing 31 of 47 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase had a team-record 16 catches on an NFL-season-high 23 targets for 161 yards and a touchdown. Higgins caught six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. Chase Brown ran for 108 yards on 11 carries.

The Bengals outgained the Steelers 470 to 396.

Rodgers was 23-of-34 for 249 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Freiermuth caught five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, and Jaylen Warren rushed for 127 yards on 16 carries.

Safety Jordan Battle and cornerback DJ Turner had interceptions of Rodgers on passes intended for DK Metcalf, who had three catches for 50 yards.

Steelers close to within 27-24 on Aaron Rodgers' third TD

Joe Flacco threw his third touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, giving the Bengals a 27-17 lead. Aaron Rodgers quickly answered with his third touchdown pass.

The Bengals still lead but only 27-24.

Rodgers led the Steelers on a seven-play, 73-yard drive, capping it with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington with 11:03 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Rogers is now 21-of-29 for 176 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, with DK Metcalf catching three for 50.

Jaylen Warren has 121 yards on 14 carries.

More Articles …

  1. Joe Flacco throws a third TD, giving the Bengals a 27-17 lead
  2. Thursday Night Football: Bengals lead turnover-prone Steelers 17-10 at halftime
  3. Bengals cut Steelers' lead to 10-7
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