Mason Rudolph blows our socks will stellar first-half efficiency vs. Bengals

I do not know if anybody anticipated the showcase we simply witnessed from Mason Rudolph within the first two quarters of Week 16. With the ankle damage to Kenny Pickett and with Mitch Trubisky struggling this 12 months, the Pittsburgh Steelers turned to Rudolph for his first begin since 2021.

No one knew how issues had been going to go together with the third-string quarterback, however there isn’t any query Rudolph was put in a good spot. After the Steelers misplaced three straight video games and fell to 7-7 on the season, a loss may have ended any hope of constructing the playoffs this 12 months. Surprisingly, Rudolph answered the decision.

Proper from the gate, the third-string quarterback got here out swinging. On his very first cross try, Rudolph fired a deep publish in stride to George Pickens, and the proficient second-year receiver took care of the remaining — taking the soccer to the home for an 86-yard landing reception.

This monstrous play bought the house crowd on their toes throughout Pittsburgh’s last recreation at Acrisure Stadium in 2023. However his spectacular run did not finish there.

Rudolph proceeded to march his group down the sphere — punching in touchdowns on three of his first 4 possessions. He even scrambled to maneuver the chains on a vital third and 6 regardless of understanding he was going to take an enormous shot.

Together with his again towards the wall and nothing to lose, Mason Rudolph has performed like that is the final shot he’ll ever get on this league, and we’re loving each second of it.

Admittedly, issues weren’t good. Rudolph underthrew speedster Calvin Austin III within the first half on a play that undoubtedly would have gone for a landing. He was additionally off the mark on just a few passes beneath. Nonetheless, the veteran quarterback has finished considerably greater than anybody anticipated in his first begin in two years.

Rudolph completed the primary half finishing 12 of 19 passes for 193 yards (10.2 yards per try) and a landing, per ESPN box score stats. If the sport ended at halftime towards the Bengals, his 114.6 passer ranking could be the very best that we have now seen from a Steelers quarterback who began and completed the sport since Ben Roethlisberger in Week 5 of 2021.

If Mason Rudolph retains up like this, it may give Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers a really fascinating resolution when Kenny Pickett is wholesome and able to go. That is the offensive efficiency each Steelers fan has been ready for, and we will not get sufficient of it. Let’s hope it retains up.