PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers season is alive heading into Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens.
And even if they won’t name a starting quarterback right now, we all know who will lead this team into M&T Bank Stadium this weekend.
Since Mason Rudolph has taken over for the Steelers, the offense has been brand new.
There are no more dead drives resulting in failed quarters and eventually lost games.
There is no more panic after a three-and-out. There is no more worry about whether or not the team can compete when the defense is forcing turnovers.
Right now, the Steelers are the best they have been since Ben Roethlisberger retired – by far.
Their playoff hopes are alive, and there should be no question on whether or not Rudolph is the Steelers’ starting quarterback in Week 18.
Really, the question should be, what does he need to do the rest of the way to earn the starting job next season as well?
Coach Mike Tomlin inserted third-stringer Mason Rudolph at quarterback after getting blown out at Indianapolis on Dec. 16, and Rudolph responded by helping Pittsburgh reel off three consecutive wins over Cincinnati, Seattle and AFC North champion Baltimore on Saturday.
The Steelers will be either the sixth or seventh seed in the AFC, pending the result of Buffalo’s Sunday night game against Miami. A Dolphins win would send Pittsburgh to Kansas City next weekend, and a Bills victory would bring the Steelers to Buffalo. If Miami-Buffalo is a tie, the Dolphins will host the Steelers.
