While the state of the field didn’t seem to affect Rodgers statistically (he completed 21 of 30 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns in the win), it could have affected two other big moments for the Steelers.
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The first of these occurred in the second quarter of the contest, when Steelers special teams ace Miles Killebrew suffered a “significant knee injury.” It was a non-contact injury for Killebrew and there was no particular evidence that the field played a role in the injury. But the two connected after the game over Rodgers’ comments.
The most obvious example of the field affecting the game came in the fourth quarter, when usually reliable kicker Chris Boswell missed a 54-yard field goal after slipping on the grass.
When Boswell’s front foot hit the turf, it slid, causing Boswell’s kick to miss its mark. And causing the kicker to fall to the ground.
As it seemed, Boswell was lucky to escape the play without suffering an injury.
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The Steeler ground crew seemed to realize that the field was in less than stellar condition. After the contest, workers were seen renovating the grass at Acrisure Stadium.
The Steelers share the field with the Pittsburgh Panthers, although the team was on the road Saturday.
It will be a few weeks before either team takes the field again. Both Pitt and the Steelers will be on the road next weekend. The next time either team plays in Acrisure will be Saturday, Oct. 25, when Pitt plays the North Carolina State Wolfpack.
The next day, the Steelers will play at home against the Green Bay Packers.