Aaron Rodgers praised the depth and character of the Pittsburgh Steelers squad after their 28-15 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday Evening Soccer, a win that ended Miami’s four-game successful run.
The quarterback was visibly upbeat post-game, smiling as he reeled off the names of team-mates who performed key roles within the outcome.
Kenneth Gainwell, Connor Heyward, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Asante Samuel Jr and Adam Thielen all featured prominently as Pittsburgh put collectively considered one of their most full offensive shows in years.
“There’s some castoffs in the event you have a look at our roster, which makes it actually particular,” Rodgers mentioned with a smile, including that he doesn’t contemplate himself a castoff.
“Kenny Gainwell signed a subsequent to nothing contract. Connor Heyward, an afterthought, had a landing run. Marquez has been on a pair groups. Adam Thielen bought lower. Samuel was on the road for a very long time. So says lots in regards to the character of the fellows we introduced in.”
Environment friendly evening for Rodgers
Rodgers produced his most correct efficiency since 2014, finishing 23 of 27 passes for 224 yards, an 85.2 per cent completion charge. He unfold the ball round, discovering eight completely different receivers because the Steelers scored touchdowns on 4 straight drives, one thing that they had not managed since Week 2 of the 2018 season.
Connor Heyward and Valdes-Scantling each reached the tip zone. Heyward’s rating got here simply earlier than half-time, with Pittsburgh choosing a short-yardage tush push on third-and-one to open their scoring.
Early within the third quarter, Rodgers struck once more, hitting Valdes-Scantling for a 19-yard landing to increase the result in 14-3.
It marked the primary landing connection between Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling since their time collectively at Inexperienced Bay in 2021. Valdes-Scantling had solely been added to the lively roster earlier within the day.
Gainwell’s all-round contribution
Kenneth Gainwell was Rodgers’ most frequent goal on the evening. The operating again, who signed a one-year deal price $1.79 million in free company, caught all seven of his targets for 46 yards and added 80 yards on the bottom from 13 carries.
“He’s tremendous sensible, and I nonetheless can not imagine what we bought him for,” Rodgers mentioned. “I instructed him a very long time in the past my purpose was to get him paid, as a result of I’ve been a fan of his since he was in Philly and thought that each time he went within the recreation one thing good occurs.
“He’s as fluid as anyone on the crew catching the soccer. For a man that’s making rattling close to a vet minimal, he’s been an amazing asset to our crew this yr.”
Defensive impression from Samuel
On defence, Asante Samuel Jr made an instantaneous impression in his first begin for the Steelers. With James Pierre sidelined on account of a calf damage, Samuel stepped in and intercepted Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa within the first quarter.
Samuel had joined the observe squad in November, solely seven months after present process spinal fusion surgical procedure, and his progress has been famous by team-mates.
“It’s a testomony to guys shopping for in,” defensive sort out Cam Heyward mentioned. “Coach at all times talks about leaping on a transferring prepare. These guys are professionals. I’m watching, as quickly as Thielen will get right here, he’s opening up his playbook and nonetheless learning.
“They spend lots time actually studying the offense, studying the protection. Asante has been actually chomping on the bit to get reps, and he performed very properly with them.”
The win strengthens Pittsburgh’s grip on top spot in the AFC North forward of the Baltimore Ravens and provides the Steelers back-to-back victories for the primary time since late September and early October.
