Madden Monday: 'The Ravens were worse, more than the Steelers were better'

During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X had plenty of good things to say about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-22 victory in Baltimore.

“I thought they did a good job rushing (Lamar) Jackson. I thought Jackson was awful, but I thought that they contained him,” Madden said. “He looked to be off his game, but they definitely kept him off his game. So full credit there. I thought (Aaron) Rodgers played very composed, and he made the plays that he had to. I thought it was hilarious when he ran in for a touchdown. Who woulda thought?”

That was Rodgers first rushing TD since 2022.

RODGERS. BOOTLEG. TOUCHDOWN.

PITvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/gfgrI1yryN

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025

Madden also praised Alex Highsmith for his game-ending sack, DK Metcalf for his breakout game (148 receiving yards) and for how all the depth players helped navigate a multitude of in-game injuries.

One thing Madden didn’t like, though, was Rodgers’ comment that this win should make the media “shut the hell up for a week.”

Asked what this win means after the week of negativity about the team and coach Mike Tomlin, Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers says:

“Means maybe you guys will shut the hell up for a week.” pic.twitter.com/Y3oRjLz3g6

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 7, 2025

“We’ll say what we want. … You’ve been here about 15 minutes,” Madden exclaimed about Rodgers. “I don’t like it. He won a Super Bowl. It was against Pittsburgh. He’s got four MVPs. He didn’t do that here. He ain’t nothin’ here. He should shut up.”

Madden also suggests the Steelers’ fanbase keep some things in perspective about the victory.

“I’m not remotely convinced this is anything more than a ‘meh’ team. They were lucky to win this game. I thought the Ravens were worse, more than the Steelers were better. And I think if it weren’t for those two calls that could’ve gone either way, the Steelers lose that game,” Madden said.

Madden was talking specifically about the overturned touchdown from Isaiah Likely, and the batted pass that Rodgers caught himself and was eventually deemed to have position instead of Teddye Buchanan, who was initially ruled to have an interception.

Rodgers catches his own pass!‼️ pic.twitter.com/1JJ6nuSl0i

— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) December 7, 2025

After review this was ruled an incomplete pass and not a touchdown for the Ravens pic.twitter.com/ZHjsi81JGs

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) December 7, 2025

“Had those calls gone against the Steelers and they lose, Steelers’ fans and players are crying about getting screwed,” Madden said.

Also during the podcast, Madden and I talk about the state of the AFC North, Adam Schefter’s report about Mike Tomlin’s contract, the Penguins, and the college football playoff bracket.