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Kenny Pickett on facing Brady: 'I was playing with him in 'Madden'
Oct 9, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett on facing Tom Brady: 'I was playing with him in 'Madden'

By Aaron Becker  |  Last updated 10/13/22

Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett began playing "Madden NFL" as a kid. Now he'll get to play against the quarterback who has appeared in the video game more than any other player: 45-year-old Tampa Bay QB Tom Brady.

"Since I started playing football, I was playing with him in Madden," Pickett told reporters.

Brady debuted in "Madden NFL 2001," when the game named him "QB No. 12," and has graced the video game's cover twice. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is the only other NFL player to appear on the cover twice. In all, Brady has appeared in the video game 23 times.

In his first start at home on Sunday, Pickett will play against Brady, who was entering his junior season at Michigan the year the rookie was born in 1998. 

Brady is 23-5 against rookie quarterbacks. The first rookie quarterback to beat him was the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger in Week 8 in 2004. 

Pickett's task will be difficult. Tampa Bay's defense ranks sixth in total yards per game (309.0), pass yards per game (193.4) and points per game (16.6), per ESPN.com.

After scoring three points in a loss to Buffalo in Week 5, the Steelers' offense is third worst in points per game (15.4). 

"We've got to make plays and finish in the end zone," Pickett added. "Winning cures all, so that's what we've got to get back to."

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