Mason Rudolph has been handed the keys with the Steelers' NFL playoff hopes at stake.
The fourth-year veteran will start a third straight game for Pittsburgh in a critical matchup against the rival Baltimore Ravens. Kenny Pickett is healthy enough to play but will be the backup.
The Steelers have multiple paths to the postseason, each of them requiring help. Their best bet is to pick up a win over the Ravens, which would clinch a playoff spot alongside a Bills or Jaguars loss on Sunday.
The Ravens have locked up the AFC's No. 1 seed and having nothing to play for in terms of playoff positioning. But that hasn't stopped them before in the exact same scenario with a chance to spoil their rivals' playoff hopes. The Ravens beat the Steelers in the 2019 season finale having already locked up the No. 1 seed.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for highlights and updates from Saturday's game.
Live64 updates
Huntley scrambles to convert a 4th and 1 at the two-minute warning. Ravens have it at the Pittsburgh 36 and still need a lot of things to go their way.
Ravens say DE Brent Urban is being evaluated for a concussion
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 7, 2024
Ravens are moving the ball, at least.
Assuming the Steelers hold on, they'll only need one of a Bills loss, a Jaguars loss or a Colts/Texans tie to reach the playoffs. T.J. Watt's health still looms large, though.
Steelers get stopped at the goal line but kick a field goal to go up 17-7 with 3:11 remaining. The Ravens will now likely need an onside kick in addition to two scores. Given how little this game matters to them, they might not push too hard.
Najee Harris has 102 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries today. The most important weapon when neither team can pass like they want.
TURNOVER
Gus Edwards fumbles on a run up the middle and it will be Steelers ball with 7:14 to play. There have been EIGHT fumbles in this rainy game: six by the Steelers, two by the Ravens. Both have turned it over twice.
Ravens will get the ball back after a Steelers three-and-out. Big, big drive coming up in a game that does not matter for them.
Hoo boy, Jaylen Warren gets stuffed up the middle then fumbles, but Steelers recover. Ravens signaled they had it.
Broadcast notes Steelers have won 17 games in a row after holding a lead in the fourth quarter. They're currently in a solid position to keep that going with less than 10 minutes left.
This game is getting pretty physical and the refs are holding onto their flags. Ravens seemed to get away with a hold on Alex Highsmith, then the Steelers get pretty physical on a third-down pass.
Steelers ball at their own 43 after a good return by Calvin Austin. Still 14-7 Pittsburgh.
Melvon Gordon back in game. Ravens have only 2 starters still in on OL: John Simpson and Ben Cleveland. And obviously Cleveland is starting for injured Kevin Zeitler.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 6, 2024
Ravens injury updates:
S Geno Stone (knee) is questionable to return
LB Del'Shawn Phillps (shoulder) is questionable— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 6, 2024
Ravens free safety Marcus Williams looked way out of position there. Johnson was ahead of CB Rock Ya-Sin and Williams jumped in front of him, but misjudged the pass and left nothing but grass ahead of Johnson.
TOUCHDOWN STEELERS.
Mason Rudolph hits Diontae Johnson on a crossing route and there's no Ravens defender to stop him from taking it to the house for a 71-yard touchdown. One of these offenses needed a break and the Steelers just got theirs on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Ravens safety Geno Stone is out of the medical tent and he's staying on the sideline
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 6, 2024
We're headed to the fourth quarter still tied 7-7. Steelers are currently facing 3rd-and-4 in their own territory.
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