Rodgers Points to Execution, Not Effort, as Steelers Fix Third-Down Woes
The short version
- Steelers lost to the Patriots in Week 2 and now face their first divisional game.
- Rodgers said the offense's issues come down to execution and practice habits, not resolve.
- Third-down struggles were highlighted by both Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy.
- Rodgers said mistakes were spread among all players, including himself.
- The Steelers defense faces Joe Burrow and the Bengals next.
Aaron Rodgers says Pittsburgh's offensive struggles come down to all 11 players doing their jobs as the Steelers prepare to host the Bengals in their first AFC North game.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday that the team's offensive problems through two weeks stem from practice habits and execution rather than a lack of effort or resolve.
The Steelers fell to the New England Patriots in Week 2 and now turn to their first divisional game of the season. Rodgers pointed specifically to poor third-down conversion as an area that must improve, echoing the message from coach Mike McCarthy that the unit simply has to execute.
Reviewing the film from the loss, Rodgers rejected the idea that the offense is close to breaking through. "I hate the whole like we're close or this or that," he said, adding that success comes down to players doing their jobs and communicating.
He noted that many failed plays involved 10 players executing correctly while one did not, and acknowledged that the mistakes were spread across the roster, including his own. Rodgers said the offense took a positive step in practice this week.
The upcoming game also marks a major challenge for the Steelers defense, which will face quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals' offense in Pittsburgh.
