The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a savior for their season after three straight devastating losses put the team's playoff hopes on life support. Enter Mason Rudolph. He was inactive as the third quarterback on the roster for all but one game in 2022. The 28-year-old played six snaps in relief of Mitch Trubisky near the end of the Week 15 contest against the Indianapolis Colts in anticipation of potentially starting against the Cincinnati Bengals. Veteran defensive back Patrick Peterson wasn't at all surprised by what the former Oklahoma State Cowboy was able to do against the Bengals in a stand-alone game on the Saturday before Christmas.
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Steelers' Isaac Seumalo (73) and Mason Rudolph (2) celebrate during a 2023 contest against the Bengals.
It was a breath of fresh air type of performance by Rudolph for a team struggling mightily to score points on offense. He finished the contest 17 for 27 with 290 yards through the air and a pair of touchdowns. It was the most passing yards in a game for the organization since Kenny Pickett made his first career start and threw the ball 52 times for 327 yards in a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 5 of 2022.
Peterson talked to the media on Thursday. He remarked that he was not shocked that Rudolph was able to deliver some gifts to his receivers and help the team get a monumental win over a divisional rival.
"He's been giving us a run for our money the last 16 weeks," he said via a video posted on X by 93.7 The Fan. "The Bengals happened to get it on live TV."
Pittsburgh has struggled mightily opening games offensively. Whether it's been sputtering and failing to get a first down leading to early Pressley Harvin III punts, or turnovers starting the right way has been an issue plaguing the unit all season. Rudolph opened the game with a pass to George Pickens running a slant and hitting him in stride. The young receiver did the rest, peeling away from the defender covering him and taking it 86 yards for the score.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' George Pickens waltzes into the end zone during Pittsburgh's 34-11 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 of 2023.
Rudolph added a deep passing game element that has largely been missing when Trubisky or Pickett played. Near the end of the first half, Pittsburgh forced a turnover on downs when Joey Porter Jr. had tight coverage on receiver Tee Higgins that forced the ball incomplete.
The Steelers drove out of the shadow of their end zone, but a penalty on Dan Moore Jr. forced them into a tough 3rd and 15. Rudolph moved up the pocket to avoid the Bengals' pass rush and then unleashed a 44-yard bomb to Pickens. The former Georgia Bulldog had separated from his defender and did an incredible job keeping his feet in bounds. It led to a 50-yard field goal by Chris Boswell to close out the half, with Pittsburgh leading 24-0.
He had a second deep touchdown to Pickens on the Steelers' opening drive of the second half. After the Bengals scored and converted a two-point conversion, Rudolph provided a quick response. Pickens was again in man coverage, and after beating his guy, Rudolph dropped a dime into his arms for a 66-yard score to put them up 31-8 with the Boswell extra point.
Steelers' Peterson Among Those Impressed With Rudolph's Pocket Presence
One of the themes from locker room interviews this week after Rudolph's impressive performance was the calmness Rudolph displayed in the pocket. While he had one key scramble that led to a Najee Harris walk-in score, most of the game, he was standing in and delivering strikes to his receivers.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph looks to try and complete a pass during the team's Week 16 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Rudolph towers over the other Steelers quarterbacks at 6'5", while Trubisky is 6'2" and Pickett is 6'3", according to Pro Football Reference. Peterson said that lends itself to his style of play.
"[Rudolph] is one of those bigger body statue-type quarterbacks that don't mind the pocket crashing down on them. I think he does a really good job of standing in the pocket and letting the receivers find those open pockets."
Rudolph will be tested again against the Seattle Seahawks on New Year's Eve in Seattle as the Steelers take on the Seattle Seahawks in another do-or-die game.
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