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Stephen A. Smith Rips Aaron Rodgers Over “Awful” Performance vs. Chargers

Aaron Rodgers struggled mightily on Sunday night as the Steelers lost to the Chargers. The future Hall of Famer completed 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions as Pittsburgh had their lowest point total of the season and lost their third game in the last four weeks.

One person who was particularly disturbed by Rodgers's performance was Stephen A. Smith, who went off on the veteran quarterback on Monday's edition of First Take.

"He was awful," said Smith. "It was clearly his worst performance as a Steeler. Three sacks. Season worst 50.6 passer rating. Couldn't complete a pass. Was under-throwing, was over-throwing. Looked jittery in the pocket. Most importantly he looked moody."

Smith then brought up some jarring numbers.

"Didn't look there if you get what I'm saying," Smith continued. "I mean from opening tap. How you gonna take a sack in the end zone from Khalil Mack like that? You got to be more aware of that. OK? That's number one. Oh for five on passes 15 yards or more downfield. Didn't make a pass. You ain't won a primetime game this year. OK? Chargers have won every primetime game they've been in. That's not good. Two-for-11 on third downs. Two-for-11? 29th ranked total offense. 28th ranked total defense. Their defense is now better than the offense. And we know how awful the defense has been. We know how we been complaining about the defense. The offense has now usurped the defense as the worst category for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As pathetic as their defense has looked. I'm very disgusted right now!"

Not only was this Rodgers's worst performance as a Steeler, it was one of the worst of his entire career. That passer rating is his fifth lowest of any game he's started and finished. His 161 yards pasing was one of the lowest totals of his career. Not to mention the turnovers.

Rodgers threw two interceptions last night. It was the third time this season he's thrown two interceptions. Consider he came into the season having only thrown multiple interceptions in a single game 22 times in 248 games. For comparison, Peyton Manning did it 69 times and Tom Brady did it 49. He's currently on pace for a career-high number of interceptions.

Rodgers showed that he can still chuck it earlier this season, but the other things that made him Aaron Rodgers just aren't there right now. At 42, you have to wonder if they ever will be again. No wonder Stephen A. Smith is so upset.


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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Stephen A. Smith Rips Aaron Rodgers Over “Awful” Performance vs. Chargers.

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