Mason Rudolph Week 18 starter for Steelers: Ball in his hands

Steelers will stick with Rudolph at quarterback for Week 18 as they hope to make the playoffs. Can they beat Baltimore?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still in the running for a playoff spot and are sticking with Mason Rudolph as their quarterback for Week 18. Head coach Mike Tomlin announced that Rudolph will start for the third straight game when the Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

Kenny Pickett, who has been out with an ankle injury, is expected to practice this week and be available for Week 18. However, Tomlin praised Rudolph for his performance in the last two games, highlighting his ability to take care of the ball and score points at a rate the team hadn't seen all year.

Tomlin acknowledged Pickett's capabilities, especially in a matchup against Baltimore, as he has led the team to victory in their last two meetings. Despite this, the Steelers are confident in Rudolph's abilities and will proceed with him as the starting quarterback for now.

Since taking over for Pickett, Rudolph has thrown for 567 yards, with a completion percentage of 68.5, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. The offense has also come alive in their last two wins, scoring at least 30 points in each game, a feat they had not accomplished all season.

The Steelers' playoff chances are still alive, and they are hoping for a few different scenarios to play out in their favor. They need to either tie with Indianapolis or have Houston and Jacksonville lose, or have Indianapolis and Houston not tie, Jacksonville lose, and Denver win.

The Steelers previously beat the Ravens 17-10 in Week 5, but with Baltimore securing the top seed in the AFC, it remains to be seen how many of their regular starters will play on Saturday. The Steelers will look to take advantage of any opportunities that arise in this crucial matchup.

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