Aaron Rodgers blasts Steelers receivers after loss to Bills

Aaron Rodgers blasts Steelers receivers after loss to Bills originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Aaron Rodgers appeared to call out his receivers following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-7 Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Pittsburgh mustered just 166 total yards against Buffalo’s defense and Rodgers accounted for only 117 of them through the air. Rodgers completed just 10 total passes in the game, which is his fewest total in a game that he had at least 20 attempts in his entire career.

After the game, Rodgers seemed to suggest that there was a bit of a disconnect between himself and his pass-catchers.

"When there's film sessions, everybody shows up, and when I check to a route, you do the right route," Rodgers said. "... We have our meetings every week. We have other opportunities outside of the facility, and [I] look forward to seeing all the boys there."

Rodgers pointed to a particular play where he had a miscommunication with tight end Jonnu Smith.

"Jonnu and I just weren't on the same page," Rodgers said. "I checked to his in-breaker, and he ran an out-breaker. Jonnu is a true professional, so I'm sure he's sick about that."

Rodgers, who played through a fractured left wrist in the game, didn’t just pass the buck though. He also shouldered some of the blame for the offense’s struggles.

"I threw a ball I thought was going to get hit by the wind, and it was 4 yards over Roman [Wilson], so that's a s---ty throw," Rodgers said. "I got to make that throw."

The loss was the second straight for the Steelers, and it dropped them to 6-6 on the season. They’re still in the playoff picture in the AFC, but they’re going to need to play [much] better moving forward than they did against the Bills if they hope to qualify for postseason play for a third straight season.

"I believe in the coaching staff," Rodgers said. "I believe in Mike Tomlin. That's why I came here. Players need to take accountability, myself included, and I will, and I will continue to. I got to play better, but there's 11 starters on offense, 11 on defense plus with the personnel groupings that we run.”

The Steelers have five games remaining on their regular season slate, including an extremely important matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Whoever wins that game will take control of the AFC North as the two teams are currently tied at the top.

The Steelers will also play the Ravens in Week 18, so their hopes of winning the division and making the playoffs are still very much alive. They just need to get on the same page.