Three biggest takeaways from Steelers' Week 16 win

The Steelers (8-7) ended their three-game losing streak with a dominant 34-11 win over the Bengals (8-7). Here are the three biggest takeaways from Pittsburgh's Week 16 win.

Pickens isn't going anywhere

WR George Pickens has been highly criticized over the past couple of weeks for his lack of effort and sideline antics. Some even believed the Steelers should cut their losses with him this offseason. But the second-year wide receiver changed most of those opinions following his 195-yard, two-touchdown performance.

It was by far Pickens' best game since being drafted by Pittsburgh and proved exactly why the team took a chance on the controversial player. If he can continue stacking performances like this past week's, he isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

"He made some splash plays. That was needed," head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters. "His pedigree showed, no doubt."

Rudolph part two?

QB Mason Rudolph may have been one of the biggest surprises of the week, throwing for 290 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He became the first Steelers QB to throw for 250+ yards and two-plus touchdowns since Ben Roethlisberger did it in 2021, per NFL on CBS.

"He's got a belief in himself," Tomlin added. "He's aggressive in his play style and I thought he did a really good job not displaying a lot of rust for a guy who hadn't played a lot."

Rudolph's performance was easily the best by any of Pittsburgh's quarterbacks this season, which raises the question of whether he should get another chance to start even if QB Kenny Pickett is healthy in Week 17. Rudolph, however, doesn't have that answer as of now.

"You're asking the wrong person," Rudolph said. "I play this game to play. I'd love to play but that's out of my hands. I'll find out the marching orders as we go."

The Steelers likely still view Pickett as their quarterback, but Rudolph certainly earned another start. If he struggles and proves this week was a fluke, then the team will just go back to Pickett. But if not, he may be able to push Pittsburgh into the playoffs.

Watt is the DPOY

LB T.J. Watt made his presence felt once again with one sack, one forced fumble and one pass defensed in Week 16. He feels like the obvious choice for this year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but is still the third favorite behind Cowboys LB Micah Parsons and Browns DE Myles Garrett, per oddschecker.

The 2019 DPOY leads Parsons and Garrett in sacks (17), tackles (58), tackles for a loss (16), interceptions (one) and passes defensed (eight) with just two weeks left in the regular season. The Steelers may not be a better team than the Cowboys or Browns, but they would be far less competitive without Watt, who should win his second such individual award this year.