Mason Rudolph hadn’t began an NFL sport in two years. Within the “12 months of the backup quarterback,” that does not matter.
Rudolph threw for 290 yards, two touchdowns and a 124.0 quarterback score within the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 34-11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
It was the highest-yardage efficiency by a Steelers QB this season and saved the workforce alive within the AFC wild-card race because the Bengals and Steelers each went to 8-7. Pittsburgh additionally clinched the tiebreaker over Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and three of their first 4. The Steelers went into the half main 24-0, a surprising begin for a workforce that is notoriously struggled on offense in first halves.
It is probably the most profitable sport by a Steelers QB all 12 months, and it got here from a participant who drew so little curiosity in free company that he returned to Pittsburgh to be the backup to the backup quarterback.
He is considered one of many backups pressed into motion for potential playoff groups this season, becoming a member of the likes of Gardner Minshew, Josh Dobbs, Joe Flacco and his Saturday opponent, Jake Browning.
Browning threw for 335 yards, however harm his workforce with three interceptions.
However past the magic of the 12 months of the backup QB, the Pittsburgh third-stringer’s success may owe somewhat to Christmas magic as properly. In spite of everything, there’s one other Rudolph who wasn’t allowed to play in any sport, who then unexpectedly led his workforce to success on the finish of December.
Certain, that was a red-nosed reindeer, however this Rudolph serving to the Steelers rating a season-high 34 factors appears like much more of a Christmas miracle.
