Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will hold his weekly media session today, and the obvious question will be who his quarterback is for Sunday afternoon in Seattle. Mason Rudolph led the Steelers to Saturday’s blowout win over Cincinnati but Kenny Pickett should also be an option after missing the last three games with ankle surgery. Pickett was almost ready to go against the Bengals but was ruled out the day before the game, and NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Pickett is expected to start this week.
Rudolph threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, and he even saved a safety after running back Jaylen Warren stumbled and dropped the ball in the end zone. Rudolph scooped up the fumble and bull-rushed the ball to the 1-yard line.
Tomlin says Rudolph’s performance – and his cool demeanor – were not unexpected.
Tomlin says Rudolph was able to hook up with George Pickens so well because the Bengals concentrated on taking away tight end Pat Freiermuth, who had no targets in the game despite catching nine passes against the Bengals in Week 12.
Rudolph was happy to be able to contribute to a Steelers victory, and he was thrilled to hear fans chanting his name in the first half.
The challenge before the Steelers in the tight AFC playoff chase is a big one. They have to win twice on the road in two of the toughest places to play in the NFL, Seattle and Baltimore. They will also need losses by Jacksonville, Indianapolis, and Houston, all of whom have beaten the Steelers and hold tiebreaker edges over them.
Pittsburgh is 1-7 all-time in Seattle and has lost five in a row there since a win in 1983.
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