Rudolph to start against Seattle.

One other positive thing I could imagine could work out with Rudolph. I seem to remember he did make some deep throws in the past when he played and we saw this with Pickens in this last game. Maybe the skill people around him mesh better. One can only hope, LOL. However, the O-line...ugh. Rudolph better protect the football.

 

easy money

 

This will be a good test. If Mason plays well again, Steelers better be looking to sign him for next year. The Oline played well in protecting Mason. In part because Mason remained aware and stayed in the pocket. This makes it easier for the line to do their jobs without having to look over their shoulder to see where they should be blocking.

 

I'm not sure winning a football game qualifies, either. I imagine there are people of the same faith who played for the Bengals, too. (To be fair, I didn't hear all of what Rudolph said.) Anyone who prays for their team to win a football game, be they players, coaches, or fans, should read "The War Prayer" by Mark Twain. It is obviously about war, not football, but the message applies. In short, praying for victory for yourself is also praying for others to suffer.

Yeah, I'm feeling philosophical today. lol

 

The Seahawks are eighth in the league in sacks, well ahead of the Bengals. so that should be a different challenge this week.

Even just taking more shots helped. Rudolph only made a good throw on one deep pass, the second touchdown to Pickens. The first was an intermediate throw that Pickens turned into a long score. The one before the half was underthrown and too close to the sideline. If he had laid it out in front of Pickens, it would have been another touchdown. That said, they made it a threat, which made it tougher for the Bengals to defend everything else.

 

This is going to be a pretty difficult game for Mason and the Steelers - at least from a historical perspective. IIRC, Steelers are something like 1-7 when playing at Seattle, since 1983. That would, in and of itself, suggest doom, regardless of QB.

Interestingly, the Seahawks are one of the handful of teams with actual film of playing against Mason Rudolph. It was back in their Week 2 meeting with the Seahawks, at home, in 2018, when Mason was called upon to play in the second half, shortly after Ben had unfortunately suffered his season-ending elbow injury.

Although the Seahawks would ultimately win the game, 28 to 26, Mason would still finish the game having completed 12/19 passes for 119 yards and 2 TDs, with 1 Interception - which I'd argue is pretty good, tbh. What's really interesting is that this was actually Mason's very first NFL regular season debut.

This bit of shared history between Mason and Seattle could make for a fairly compelling storyline heading into the next game.

The last time Mason faced the Seahawks, it was his first time playing in the NFL, during which he was backing up an injured Ben - a man who, despite the seriousness of said injury, Mason had no chance of supplanting at QB1, no matter how good he played.

Fast forward 5 years and now Mason is once again facing the Seahawks in relief of an injured QB1, except this time Mason is literally playing to save his entire career, with the possibility of even supplanting the QB1 in the depth chart next season, pending a series of strong performances - including against the Seahawks.

It would be interesting to know if that bit of history is something that is known and discussed in the locker room, and if it's something that would have any impact on the game. If Mason has an excellent showing a second time, it would suggest that even if this is not the case, the team is still elevating their play specifically because they want to see Mason succeed - and if that is actually the case, then opposing teams would do well not underestimate what this team could look like when they're united behind one Mason Rudolph.

 

The defense lost that game. The Seahawks had time for one final drive and faced a 3rd and 20 but they let Wilson take off and scramble for 17 yards and then converted the 4th down. A couple of plays later they kicked a FG to win the game.

 

It appears to be a no brainer actually.

Draw up the gameplan for Pickens to have 10 targets deep. If they are not there, go to where the defense gives. Make them respect the deep ball then hit them underneath.

Sounds easy doesn't it?

 

I wonder, will Kenny be the primary back up or will he once again not dress? I can see an argument for both ways.

My prediction immediately following the win on Saturday was that Tomlin would consider Kenny's health. Was he a full participant or was he limited in some manner. If he was a full participant, then they could design a game plan around his strengths. If he was limited, they would stick with Rudolph and design a game plan around his strengths. Now, I'm of course suggesting that our offensive coaches have the talent to do such a thing. While as they were on the staff at the beginning of the year, reports were that MC didn't seek input into the plan. So, eh. Anyway, hopefully a team effort produces a successful game plan.

 

but what about poor scaredy cat Mitch where does he fit in shouldn't he play the whole game and lose it for us-- so we can put Mason in with 2 minutes left?<_-------everything just said wasby me MITCH should never play forever again.

 

I think we have to activate Pickett for this game. If Rudolph is ineffective or injured it would be unthinkable to bring Trubisky in the game.

 

The all-time history doesn't mean much. The last time these two teams met in Seattle was 2015. Russell Wilson threw for five touchdowns. He doesn't play there and he doesn't play like that anymore.

 

It depends on his ankle. If he's not 100 percent, he shouldn't be active.

 

Looking at the highlights in that link, Rudolph looks like a real QB standing in pocket, stepping up in pocket, passing mechanics, going through progressions and even running. He looks a million times better than Pickett or Trub.

 

Pickett looked great against the Bengals, too. He completed 24 of 33 for 278 yards and that was even with the officials robbing him of a touchdown pass to Johnson.

 

Pickett can't stretch the field. He doesn't have an accurate long ball. He bails from the pocket too early. Since he doesn't get yard in chunks, the offense has to string 6-7 first downs in a row to score a TD. The probability of that happening are low and that is why under him, the Steeler offense is one of the worst scoring offense in the league.

 

To me MT making that statement he is montering Picketts angle is BS. He is to chicken s**t to tell him he is on the bench again this and hopefully the next.

 

Its going to be a tough game but Im glad Mason is getting another shot. He's essentially playing for his career right now.

 

Yeah these guys usually ball out when they play us again!!

 

My guess the score prediction was for Pickett starting and how the team may respond.

Will I change it around? I don't know who's playing for what.

 

Chalk that up to rust. I dont know if QB3 is getting very much, if any, meaningful snaps in practice.

 

I actually think whatever way He goes....not telling Seattle exactly who will play is a good idea. I would do it the rest of the season.

 

I agree with this. As a believer myself, I always find it interesting that players always cite their relationship with the Lord after a win. Just once I’d like to hear them say, “I’d like to thank my Lord and Savior for this devastating loss and lesson in humility today”. That would actually be more Scriptural. We need to thank Him in the good times and the bad and trust that His will be done. I did appreciate what Rudolph said though. Personally, I think Jesus has more pressing matters to be concerned about than a sporting event.

 

That pass to Pickett before the half was thrown 55+ air yards so given that, I thought it was pretty accurate overall. It’s hard to be pinpoint when you’re throwing a ball that far in the air.

 

Ya could be. Trub just looks horrific with his back pedaling and throwing off his back foot.