The Pittsburgh Steelers couldn’t get the job done on Saturday, suffering a brutal 34-17 divisional loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. Mike Tomlin’s squad could’ve secured their first AFC North title since 2020 with a win on Saturday, but they didn’t do enough on both sides to capture a road victory and will look to bounce back in Week 17 versus the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium.
A lot went wrong for the Steelers on Saturday versus the Ravens, including an underwhelming showing from quarterback Russell Wilson. The veteran signal-caller committed two ill-advised turnovers, one being a fumble in Baltimore territory in the first half and the other being a costly pick-six in the second half to Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Wilson did throw for 217 yards and two touchdowns, but the crucial mistakes outweighed the positive plays.
Wilson struggled in Week 16, but the nine-time Pro Bowler has stabilized the sport’s most vital position for Pittsburgh this season after a few years of incompetence at the position. The Steelers had a rotation of starting quarterbacks in 2022 and 2023, including Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph, who both saw action in Week 16.
Rudolph was named the Titans’ starter earlier in the week on Tuesday after Will Levis posted a three-interception outing versus the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. Entering the team’s contest versus the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Rudolph tossed six touchdowns to five interceptions in five games and three starts.
Though the final score of 38-30 makes it seem like it was a close game, the Titans got embarrassed versus the Colts and were down 38-7 at one point in the third quarter. Rudolph got off to a nice start, tossing a beautiful 38-yard touchdown to Calvin Ridley in the first quarter. But the veteran had an abysmal interception towards the end of the first half and posted a ton of his stats in garbage time. Rudolph also added two more interceptions in the second half, with one coming on the final play, which was just a desperation heave.
Just Kenny doing Kenny stuff. ⚡️#WPMOYChallenge x @KennyKennyMoe3 x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/aCiOWdOwY5
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 22, 2024
Rudolph finished the day with 252 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. The former Steeler has struggled taking care of the ball this season but will likely start the final two games of the year for Tennessee.
Jalen Hurts left the Eagles’ Week 16 game versus the Washington Commanders to be evaluated for a concussion in the first quarter and was ruled out shortly after by the team with a concussion.
Pickett entered the game and tossed a touchdown to A.J. Brown on his second pass attempt but followed that up with an interception on the ensuing drive. The former first-round pick completed 14-of-24 passes for 143 yards with one touchdown and one interception on Sunday, and the Eagles suffered a 36-33 defeat to the Washington Commanders.
Frankie Luvu intercepts Pickett!
📺: #PHIvsWAS on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/vLMhVjFFg1— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
Though Pickett wasn’t abysmal, the 26-year-old didn’t elevate Philadelphia’s offense, and it showed just how important Hurts is to the Eagles’ success.
Overall, current and former Steelers quarterbacks didn’t have the best of luck in Week 16, and it also shows why general manager Omar Khan moved on from Rudolph and Pickett after the 2023 campaign.
