Five weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were in firm control of the AFC North. Now, they don't even lead the division as the surging Baltimore Ravens have taken the top spot. Last week, the Steelers took their second loss in the last three weeks, but this time it was without quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The future Hall of Fame QB fractured his non-throwing wrist in a Week 11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite pushing to play, Rodgers was held out of the Steelers' Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears.
As the Steelers prepare to face an equally desperate Buffalo Bills team on Sunday, they got good news. Rodgers was a full participant at practice on Thursday. So, too, was wide receiver DK Metcalf, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Both will be needed if the Steelers want to pull off the upset.
In the game against the Bears, Mason Rudolph started under center. Rudolph completed 24 of 31 passes, but for only 171 yards with one touchdown and one interception. That loss dropped Pittsburgh to 6-5 on the season.
Meanwhile, the Ravens have won five straight after starting the season 1-5. The division foes share a 6-5 record, but Baltimore currently holds the tiebreaker via divisional record. Ultimately, it may come down to the two head-to-head meetings between them.
But as badly as Pittsburgh needs this game, so too do the Bills.
Buffalo is 7-4, and currently the seventh seed in the AFC. Their hopes of winning the AFC East appear to be slipping away. The New England Patriots hold the best record in the NFL at 10-2, having already beaten the Bills in Buffalo.
