Takeaways: Rudolph, Steelers create early Christmas magic
Steel City Underground presents post-game takeaways from every Pittsburgh Steelers game of the 2023 NFL regular season.
I haven’t always been the most popular sportswriter this NFL season as I’ve offered takeaways following every Pittsburgh Steelers game in what has been a difficult 2023 regular season. Thankfully, I feel a tiny bit of redemption on Christmas Eve Eve as many of the small things I’d held onto as hopeful became early Christmas magic when the Steelers handed the Cincinnati Bengals a 34-11 loss.
First, my petitioning in favor of Mason Rudolph as a better option at quarterback than Mitch Trubisky was met with high skepticism, and even scorn, from some Steelers fans. I have lived through some dark days in Steelers history – mainly the 1980s and early 90s – and seen some truly horrible quarterback play in Pittsburgh. I won’t mention names, but the groan factor was real enough, then, to make my favorite team to loathe (their mascot is an elf) look more favorable to cheer for. Yes, that bad.
Counterpart Joe Kuzma actually did a deep dive on the shade that had been thrown on Rudolph and how misguided it was based on statistical fact versus fan emotions. Those numbers stacked up much more favorably than Trubisky’s. So, yes, I was excited for No. 2 to get the opportunity he did on Saturday against Cincinnati at Acrisure Stadium.
Rudolph was gritty, smart, and effective leading the Steelers offense in Week 16. He completed 17-of-27 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Some of the incompletions were throw-aways to avoid a loss of yardage. He took just one sack and protected the football. His vision of the field was excellent.
He deserved to be given a game ball… and fans joining in a fun sing-along at the end of the game was certainly a much more cheerful ending than most games this season.
well, this was unexpected pic.twitter.com/svm5FMcfac
— Joe Kuzma (SCU) (@Joe_Kuzma) December 24, 2023
In my pregame article, I’d written that maturity has been an issue for receiver George Pickens, especially when adversity has been heavy, but I also said,
“A big game has shown, in the past, to give young players a new level of confidence that outweighs negatives they may have been weighed-down by in the past. That makes Pickens a guy to keep an eye on in this matchup.”
Pickens had a huge game! Four receptions, 195 yards, two touchdowns. To say that he “went off” is an understatement. And a large part of that was thanks to Rudolph being confident – and giving the coaching staff confidence in him – throwing the ball down the field.
Wouldn't it be something if George Pickens was the player of the game https://t.co/MLpVdjbJQ0 after all the talk was about how he wasn't good for this #Steelers team?
— Christina Rivers (@3Rivers_Writer) December 24, 2023
All of my takeaways aren’t simply me snuggling up into my microfleece blanket of “I told you so,” because I’m not “that person.” I did toss on some fuzzy PJs, though, as I celebrated the Steelers’ success in sweeping the series with the Bengals.
Other warm, holiday thoughts:
Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt were like two freshly-baked baguettes meeting to make Jake Browning a part of a new Primanti Bothers sandwich; something I was promoting the creation of during the game.
Hey @primantibros – time for a HighWatt sammich
— Christina Rivers (@3Rivers_Writer) December 23, 2023
The Steelers defense held up well despite numerous personnel adjustments, too. The rotation was well planned and as a group they only had a handful of errors in an otherwise dominant performance.
If your #Steelers defense bingo card had Eric Rowe, Myles Jack, Miles Killebrew (as an ILB) and Patrick Peterson (as a S) please report to our office for prize.
— Joe Kuzma (SCU) (@Joe_Kuzma) December 23, 2023
Pittsburgh grabbed three interceptions off of Browning. Patrick Peterson started the takeaways off. Then Eric Rowe, just activated from the practice squad, grabbed a pick. Highsmith wasn’t to be left out, grabbing the third and earning the defense game ball.
Jaylen Warren isn’t just a complimentary sidekick to Najee Harris in and out of the offensive backfield; the kid is flat out one of the best blockers in the league. I love his emotion.
God, I love Warren… https://t.co/iBRw8kPKSo
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) December 23, 2023
Pittsburgh got a true “team win” as the holidays get underway. Was it a miracle? The way most media and NFL analysts had been drawing things up with such negative implications seems to make the win more divinely determined than it actually was. Execution was a major component of the victory, to sound like Coach Tomlin. Facts. If sound play is magic, then it was magical.
This game showed fans that stick it out through thick and thin just how good the Steelers really can be. Don’t listen to the people that will say it doesn’t matter, that it makes no difference.
A win does matter. A win does make a difference.
Happy holidays fellow members of Steelers Nation! Enjoy the victory.
