The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off the Christmas weekend in Week 16 of the NFL with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Mason Rudolph and George Pickens stood out.
NFL: Game reports week 16
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New Orleans Saints (7-8) @ Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
Result: 22:30 (0:7, 7:10, 0:10, 15:3) BOXSCORE
Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
Result: 11:34 (0:7, 0:17, 11:7, 0:3) BOXSCORE
- The Steelers kept their playoff chances alive with a home win the day before Christmas Eve. The best man was wide receiver George Pickens, who recently came under criticism for his lack of effort, and who had four receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns. In the first quarter, he quickly put the Steelers ahead with an 86-yard touchdown catch-and-run, and then added a 66-yard TD in the third quarter. He also set up a field goal shortly before halftime with a spectacular 44-yard catch down the sideline.
- In keeping with the Christmas season, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph also impressed, rushing for 290 yards and two touchdowns. He is the first Steelers quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger in 2021 to throw for at least 250 yards and two touchdowns in a game. The Steelers as a whole also scored at least 30 points in a game for the first time this season.
- Meanwhile, quarterback Jake Browning was disenchanted with the guests. He threw a total of three interceptions and failed mainly because the Steelers defense switched from man to predominantly zone coverage. This was accompanied by a move from cornerback Patrick Peterson to the safety position, which he had never played before in the NFL. Peterson caught one of three interceptions.
- Meanwhile, the Bengals’ only bright spot in this game was wide receiver Tee Higgins’ 80-yard touchdown catch-and-run shortly after halftime. However, there was no more room for the guests from Ohio.
- Looking at the playoff picture, the Bengals have now slipped out of the wild card ranks and are level with the Steelers, who, however, have won the direct comparison with two wins this season.
Buffalo Bills (8-6) @ Los Angeles Chargers (5-9) (Sun., 2 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
Indianapolis Colts (8-6) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-8) (Saturday, 7 p.m. live on RTL+)
Result: BOXSCORE
Seattle Seahawks (7-7) @ Tennessee Titans (5-9) (Sun., 7 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
Detroit Lions (10-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (7-7) (Sun., 7 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
Washington Commanders (4-10) @ New York Jets (5-9) (Sun., 7 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
Green Bay Packers (6-8) @ Carolina Panthers (2-12) (Sun., 7 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
Cleveland Browns (9-5) @ Houston Texans (8-6) (Sunday, 7 p.m. live on RTL)
Result: BOXSCORE
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) (Sun. 10:05 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
Arizona Cardinals (3-11) @ Chicago Bears (5-9) (Sun., 10:25 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
Dallas Cowboys (10-4) @ Miami Dolphins (10-4) (Sunday, 10:25 p.m. live on RTL)
Result: BOXSCORE
New England Patriots (3-11) @ Denver Broncos (7-7) (Mon., 2:15 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) @ Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) (Mon., 7 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
New York Giants (5-9) @ Philadelphia Eagles (10-4) (Mon., 10:30 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
Baltimore Ravens (11-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (11-3) (Tues., 2:15 p.m.)
Result: BOXSCORE
Marcus Blumberg