Rudolph Saves Christmas, Steelers Blast Bengals 34-11 to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

PITTSBURGH — Mason Rudolph made his first start since 2021 — and he made what might’ve been his last chance at being the Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback count, throwing for two touchdowns as the Steelers routed the Cincinnati Bengals, 34-11 at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday.

Rudolph’s primary target was second-year wide receiver George Pickens, who came back from his awful week on and off the field to break out for the best Steelers receiving performance in the better part of a decade.

Rudolph hit Pickens on a sort pass on the second play of the game, and the receiver turned on the jets for an 86-yard touchdown pass.

They also connected on a 44-yarder just before the half that set up a Chris Boswell field goal and a 66-yard touchdown down the left side line in the third quarter that put the game away.

Najee Harris had a strong game after a rough outing last week, running 19 times for 78 yards and the other Steelers touchdown. Jaylen Warren contributed 24 yards on eight carries.

Rudolph finished by completing 17 of 27 for 290 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw an interception and was sacked twice and he had a 124.0 passer rating.

While Rudolph was taking care of the football, the Steelers defense harried Bengals backup Jake Browning into several poor decisions. Browning, who had won three straight games in relief of Joe Burrow entering Saturday’s game, threw for 335 yards on 28 of 42 passing, but threw three interceptions that the Steelers turned into 17 points.

Patrick Peterson and Eric Rowe each made their first starts at safety of the season for the patchwork Steelers defense, and both came down with an interception of Browning. Peterson’s came in his first start at safety after 13 seasons exclusively at cornerback. Rowe made his Steelers debut after joining the team on the practice squad last month.

Alex Highsmith had the other, to go along with a sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit and a pass defended. T.J. Watt also sacked Browning for his league-leading 17th. 

Myles Jack, playing in his first game since retiring in August, also got a sack. Jack was expected to play this week, but ended up being thrust into a huge role when Elandon Roberts was lost to a left pectoral injury, the latest injury to the banged up center of the Steelers defense.

With the win, the Steelers improve to 8-7 on the season and drastically improve their postseason chances. They entered with a 5% chance of making the postseason, according to the New York Times, but exit at 11%.

The Steelers will likely need to win their final two games, and may need help even if they accomplish that. They will face the Seattle Seahawks on the road next week.