The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up a huge win against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, but it came at a cost.

My Hottest Take: Beat the Ravens, Lost to the Injury Bug

Broderick Jones, DeShon Elliott, Kyle Dugger, Calvin Anderson, Derrick Harmon and others didn’t play in Sunday’s contest, leaving the Steelers thin from the start. Throughout the course of the game, three more players (Darnell Washington, Andrus Peat, and Malik Harrison) were sidelined as part of concussion protocol, and DK Metcalf ended a productive day in the hospital with stomach issues. Several other players, including Pat Queen, continued to be affected by nagging ailments while on the field.

There’s never a great time for injuries, but with four games left in the season and a shaky hold on the AFC North, the Steelers need to be at their sharpest if they want to continue their season beyond those four games. Mike Tomlin excels at working magic in the face of adversity, but with increasingly loud questions about his future in Pittsburgh, he’d rather not deal with even more hurdles than he already has to- Road Trips to Detroit and Cleveland remain in front of them, as well as a rematch with Baltimore.

Hopefully the Steelers can be healthier in time to lock up a playoff bid, but until then it’s time for the backups to rise to the occasion. Chuck Clark and recently signed Asante Samuel Jr will likely see more time in the secondary, while Dylan Cook and Spencer Anderson will do their best to fill in holes on the offensive line. Metcalf’s intestinal difficulties appear to be minor, but veteran Adam Thielen has the capability to build on his Steelers debut if he needs more time to recover.

What You Need to Know: The Secondary is Cooking

Lamar Jackson is usually excellent in the month of December, but a patchwork Steelers secondary held him in check thanks to outstanding performances from Brandin Echols and James Pierre. Echols made big plays all over the field, stopping a Zay Flowers touchdown on one drive and lighting up Jackson in the backfield on another. Pierre also got the best of Jackson with a slick one-handed interception in the second quarter. Both defensive backs are playing some of their best football at this point in the season, and their performances can elevate a position group that also features Joey Porter Jr, Jalen Ramsey, and eventually a healthy Dugger and Elliott. If Pittsburgh can do enough to make the playoff, this is a group that no opposing quarterback wants to see in January.

Before You Go: Rare Air for Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers had a fantastic game on Sunday, finally unlocking the deep ball on his way to 284 yards through the air and picking up his first rushing touchdown since 2021 (respect the Discount Double-Check!), but he also inadvertently put his name in the history books during a broken play. During the fourth quarter, a Rodgers pass was deflected straight up in the air by CJ Okoye, leading Rodgers to grab the ball in an attempt to prevent a turnover. Rodgers and Teddye Buchanan both fought for the ball as they went to the ground. Officials ruled that the play qualified as a completed reception for Rodgers, who was awarded possession after the toss-up.

While the play didn’t end up as much more than a loss of yards for Pittsburgh, it was historic for the veteran quarterback. As of Sunday, Aaron Rodgers is officially fifth all-time in receiving yards for NFL players over 40 … with -9 yards. Above him, ironically, is former Packer and Rodgers mentor Brett Favre with -2. Marcedes Lewis has two yards, Tom Brady has six. Jerry Rice maintains his comfortable lead in the category, with 2,169. A strange group to be a part of, but surely a legendary one for Rodgers, who’s written his name in the record books plenty of other times. Maybe Tomlin will dial up a play for him against the Dolphins on Monday so he can pass Favre yet again.