Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph showcased his impressive skills as the Steelers boosted their chances of making the playoffs with a 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. The Steelers (10-7) could secure a playoff spot if the Houston Texans tie with the Indianapolis Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans, or the Buffalo Bills lose to the Miami Dolphins. Rudolph made a crucial 71-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson, giving the Steelers a 14-7 lead in the fourth quarter. Despite the wet and cold conditions, Rudolph completed 18 of 20 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions. Najee Harris, the Steelers’ tailback, also had an outstanding performance with 112 rushing yards, including a 6-yard touchdown run.
The Steelers faced a setback when T.J. Watt, their All-Pro edge rusher, suffered a knee injury in the third quarter. Watt, who had two sacks in the game and leads the NFL with 19 sacks, was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game. Losing Watt is a significant blow for the Steelers, as his defensive prowess has been instrumental throughout the season. However, the team remains hopeful that Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and suspended player Damontae Kazee could return for the playoffs.
Despite their recent struggles, including three consecutive losses, the Steelers managed to keep their playoff hopes alive with a gritty win over the Ravens. The inclement weather and the absence of several defensive starters for the Ravens worked in favor of the Steelers, who relied heavily on their running game and Harris’ outstanding performance. If the Steelers make it to the playoffs, their strong running game and solid defense could pose a challenge for their opponents.
The Ravens, who had a six-game winning streak snapped with this loss, rested key players such as Lamar Jackson, Odell Beckham Jr., and Marlon Humphrey. Unfortunately for the Ravens, injuries piled up during the game, with Odafe Oweh, Geno Stone, Del’Shawn Phillips, and Brent Urban leaving with injuries. The bye week before the playoffs will be crucial for the Ravens to recover and address these injury concerns.
In other news, Dalvin Cook, a veteran running back recently signed to the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, could potentially be elevated to the active roster for the playoffs. Melvin Gordon and Gus Edwards, the team’s third running back, both lost fumbles in the game, increasing the likelihood of Cook being given an opportunity to contribute in the postseason.
Though the Steelers face uncertainty due to Watt’s injury, their victory over the Ravens has revived their postseason hopes. The team’s reliance on their running game and resilient defense has paid off, and if they do make it to the playoffs, they could prove to be a tough team to beat.