Steelers' Mike Tomlin explains QB decision for Buffalo game

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke with reporters Tuesday and confirmed that Mason Rudolph will remain his starting quarterback over 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett for this coming Sunday's wild-card playoff game at the 11-6 Buffalo Bills. 

"We’re simply staying with the hot hand and not disrupting the apple cart," Tomlin explained, per Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We’ve been in some tough circumstances. He’s delivered. We’ve delivered. We’ll continue in that vein."

Rudolph won three consecutive starts to guide the 10-7 Steelers to what was just a few short weeks ago an unexpected postseason berth. As for Pickett, he hasn't played since he aggravated an ankle injury in Week 13 on Dec. 3 but served as Rudolph's primary backup for this past Saturday's 17-10 win at the Baltimore Ravens. Pickett seems on track to be Pittsburgh's QB2 versus Buffalo. 

"He has unflappable confidence in himself, he’s highly professional, he’s always preparing and prepared," Tomlin added about Rudolph. "I think that provides the platform for performances that you’re seeing."

According to Rutter, Rudolph is the first Steelers quarterback since 2014 to post a passer rating of at least 112 across three straight starts. Rudolph completed 18-of-20 pass attempts for 152 yards and a touchdown in the victory at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium. 

According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Rudolph last started a postseason game as a member of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2017 Camping World Bowl. 

In total, Rudolph appeared in four games to go along with his three starts during the regular season. He completed 55-of-74 pass attempts for 719 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions across his outings. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Steelers as heavy 10-point underdogs for Sunday's contest at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium. Rudolph is no stranger to being counted out and could use that line as bulletin board material for the win-or-go-home matchup.