From the Locker Room: Steelers Offense Comes Together

PITTSBURGH – Quarterback Mason Rudolph was awarded the game ball after the Steelers 27-3 win over Cincinnati on Monday Night Football. And he definitely deserved it. Rudolph earned his first victory as a starter thanks to a stellar performance, which saw him complete 24 of 28 passes for 229 yards and two touchdown passes.

Rudolph spoke about feeling more comfortable in the offense with another week of practice and gave compliments to his teammates, who he feels are working just as hard to adjust their games to him.

The offensive explosion was not just because of the almost perfect night by the Steelers new starting quarterback, at least for the remainder of the season, but due to to a well-balanced overall attack. James Conner and Jaylen Samuels led the way as a one-two punch of running backs. Conner finished with 115 yards combined on the ground and receiving while Samuels caught eight balls for 57 yards to go with 26 yards rushing on 10 carries. Both backs managed to get into the end zone too.

To cap it all off, Nick Vannett even contributed in his Steelers debut. Vannett had 2 receptions for 28 yards, but his statistics didn’t even tell the entire story of his overall impact on the game. He also stood out as a blocker, helping the running game and the short passing game with only one week to learn a new team.

While the Steelers are still aware of the hole they put themselves in now sitting at 1-3, they now look to build off a big win over a division rival, especially with an even tougher test coming up next week against another AFC North opponent, the Ravens.