After several big hits and coming up empty on various misfires during Sunday’s 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Aaron Rodgers attempted to detail what went wrong amid the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ third setback in their last four games. Rodgers finished 10 of 21 for 117 yards, one of the worst outings of his career. A fractured left wrist forced him to play with a cast. He briefly exited the game at one point to bandage his bloodied nose following a strip-sack from behind by Joey Bosa.

Pittsburgh hopes to expand its options with Rodgers after another week of injury recovery.

“I felt good enough to be out there, just not ready to take a snap under center, hopefully next week for that,” Rodgers said. “Disappointed in my performance, disappointed in the offensive performance and got to flush it.”  

Rodgers placed some of the blame on miscommunication and timing errors with his receivers. Tight end Darnell Washington led the Steelers with two catches for 45 yards. D.K. Metcalf was a non-factor for the second straight game, finishing with 32 yards on five targets. The ineptitude offensively led to a chorus of boos from the Steelers’ home crowd in the second half.  

“I totally understand the frustration,” Rodgers said. “I’ve been booed on offense, even in Green Bay over the years. That was a boo-worthy performance.”

Playoff outlook

Pittsburgh plays a pivotal road game Sunday against the Ravens, before concluding with Miami, Detroit, Cleveland and the season finale against Baltimore at home. With three games left against divisional competition including a pair of matchups with the AFC North co-leaders, the Steelers’ playoff hopes will be ultimately determined by offensive production and if Rodgers can get back on track.

Rodgers and his receivers have to get on the same page in the film room first, he said. 

 “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.”

Pittsburgh is the second team out of the AFC’s playoff picture in the No. 9 spot. The fourth-seeded Ravens own the tiebreaker over the Steelers for the time being based on best win percentage in common games.

Buffalo’s 23 unanswered points in the second half were tough to stomach for the Steelers, who dropped five of their last seven games since starting the season 4-1.

“That’s an awful performance by us,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said.