Revenge is a dish best served cold, even in the climate-controlled environment of Ford Field, at least according to Aaron Rodgers.
The quarterback led his Pittsburgh Steelers to a controversial 29-24 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 21, at Ford Field, throwing for 266 yards and one touchdown – his 55th against the Lions, second-most for a foe in franchise history.
The touchdown came on a 45-yard bomb at the end of the first half Sunday, to Kenneth Gainwell with 2 seconds left. The running back caught the ball with one arm as he was knocked to the ground on a pass interference penalty on Alex Anzalone, then got up untouched and ran the final dozen yards to the end zone.
It was just the latest wild play for Rodgers in Detroit, with perhaps the most notable coming when he beat the Lions on a Hail Mary pass to Richard Rodgers in the same end zone as Gainwell’s TD, when he was the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback in 2015.
On Sunday, Rodgers said the Steelers win was “pretty much” revenge for the Lions knocking the Packers out of the playoffs in his final game with that franchise in 2022, in a nationally televised finale in Green Bay.
“And maybe, they’re not eliminated,” Rodgers said of the Lions. “Different story. I’ve had some fun games over the years here. They had a fierce defense in the 2010s, with some guys whose names you know. Obviously 2015 is always going to stick out as a special night. But I’m thankful for the years here.”
Rodgers finished 26-for-41 passing for 266 yards and one touchdown.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Aaron Rodgers says slashing Lions playoff hopes is revenge for 2022
Reporting by Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
