Dec 29, 2023 5 min read

By Dale Lolley

For the Observer-Reporter

In Mason they trust … at least for now.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin really didn’t have a choice but to stick with Mason Rudolph this week after his 290-yard, 2-touchdown performance last week in a 34-11 win against the Bengals that kept the Steelers’ playoff hopes alive.

Rudolph was poised, delivered the ball where it needed to go and hit receivers in stride.

After seeing that, you have to see if he can do it again, especially with Sunday’s game at Seattle being a must-win situation for the Steelers if they hope to make the playoffs.

“Really, there’s multiple variables in the discussion, and Kenny’s (Pickett) health or his relative health is a component of it,” said Tomlin. “Obviously, we feel better having the tangible evidence of performance this week than we did a week ago.”

Tomlin and company should. Rudolph’s overall performance – at least in terms of production – was the best by a Steelers quarterback this season.

Pickett had TightRope surgery on his ankle to help speed his recovery from a high ankle sprain more than three weeks ago. Recovery time from that surgery is usually estimated at 3 to 6 weeks. Monday will mark his fourth week.

Rudolph might fall flat on his face this week against Seattle. But he also might produce another performance like the one he did against the Bengals.

Right now, he gives the Steelers their best chance to win this game. And that’s what it should all be about.

Pickett remains the team’s starter. And if we were in September or October as opposed to December, then he would immediately go back into the starting lineup as soon as he was healthy enough to play.

But Rudolph’s performance last week bought him the right to start against the Seahawks while Pickett continues to push toward a full recovery.

It’s all about winning this game. And a healthy Rudolph as opposed to Pickett at say, 85 percent, gives the Steelers the best chance of accomplishing that.

• Lest anyone forget, the offense the Steelers are running is still the one installed by former offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

Now, you can argue that play calling had something to do with their 34-point output and nearly 400 yards of offense against the Bengals, but the plays are the plays.

Then again, considering the Steelers had more than 400 yards last month in a win over the Bengals, maybe it’s just that Cincinnati’s defense is that bad.

• The Steelers’ three leading tacklers against the Bengals – linebackers Mykal Walker and Myles Jack and safety Eric Rowe – weren’t with the team in training camp. Heck, they weren’t with the Steelers until the end of October, when Walker was signed. Jack and Rowe joined later.

Injuries have robbed the defense of its top three inside linebackers and top three safeties.

But one good thing that came out of COVID is that the NFL expanded its practice squad allowances to increase the number of players who can be on that unit and relaxed the rules regarding veteran players.

So, instead of turning to an undrafted rookie or other young players to fill those spots, the Steelers could turn to Walker, Jack and Rowe, all of whom have played 50 or more NFL games.

It’s still not ideal. But it’s preferable to finding out whether or not a guy is an NFL player or not – in a key situation.

This week’s games

Steelers (plus 3½) at Seahawks: The Steelers are 1-7 in their history playing in Seattle, with that one win coming back in 1983. So, it’s been 30 years since they’ve won there. Are they due? Certainly. Are we going to go that way here in a game in which the Seahawks also need a win to secure a playoff berth? Seattle’s defense is every bit as bad as that of Cincinnati. But Seattle’s offense is better. Take the Steelers to cover in a 24-23 loss.

Dolphins (plus 3½) at Ravens: The Ravens are coming off an emotional victory in San Francisco, but the Dolphins are coming off one of their own, having beaten Dallas to finally give them a win over a team with a winning record. Miami is a finesse team with problems on its offensive line. That won’t play well against Baltimore, which just shut down San Francisco. Miami’s offensive scheme is a direct derivative of the one used by the 49ers. Take the Ravens, 31-20.

Bengals (plus 7½) at Chiefs: The Chiefs have lost four of their past six and the offense looks like it might be broken, despite the presence of Patrick Mahomes. But Cincinnati’s defense is awful. And quarterback Jake Browning turned into a pumpkin against the Steelers. The Chiefs don’t blow anyone out, though. Take the Bengals to cover in a 23-17 loss.

Panthers (plus 6½) at Jaguars: The Jaguars have lost four in a row and are 2-5 since disrespecting the Terrible Towel in their Week 8 win in Pittsburgh. The defense has been the main culprit, allowing 30 or more points four times. Carolina has only two wins but has played plucky since making a coaching change. And Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence is all kinds of banged up. Take the Panthers to cover in a 23-20 loss.

Raiders (plus 3) at Colts: After throttling the Chiefs last week, the Raiders are 4-3 under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. The team seems to respond to him and are playing as if it wants Pierce to be the coach next season. The Colts, meanwhile, were listless in a loss last week to the Falcons, with players talking about “overlooking” Atlanta. Not a good sign. Take the Raiders, 24-20.

Last Week: 2-2 ATS; 2-2 straight up

Overall: 45-32-2 ATS; 50-29 straight up

Dale Lolley hosts The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio and writes a Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter.