CHICAGO — With or without Aaron Rodgers, this was a game the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to win.
They did not, making mental lapses at critical times and failing to take advantage of Caleb Williams when they had the chance. Now they’re hovering barely above .500, staring down a schedule that includes the Buffalo Bills and two games against the Baltimore Ravens.
Ideal situation it is not.
Rodgers has owned the Chicago Bears throughout his career, and this is likely the last time he would have faced his old nemesis. But Rodgers was ruled out before the game, the fracture in his left hand not healed enough that he could play safely.
Mason Rudolph started in his place and, after a pick on his first pass attempt, settled into a groove. The Steelers defense had its way with the Bears early, with T.J. Watt sacking Williams and forcing a fumble that Nick Herbig recovered in the end zone to give Pittsburgh a 14-7 lead.
Pittsburgh (6-5) could have made it even tougher on Williams, getting hands on his passes several times but unable to hang on.
But Montez Sweat’s strip-sack late in the third, when the Steelers were trailing 24-21, was a dagger to Pittsburgh’s chances. The season is a long way from over, but it’s beginning to feel as if Pittsburgh is all but done.