Steelers' Mason Rudolph to Start vs. Bills over Kenny Pickett in 2024 NFL Playoffs

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Mason Rudolph will remain as the starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

"Staying with the hot hand and not upsetting the apple cart," Tomlin told reporters Tuesday of the decision.

Rudolph led the Steelers to wins in their final three regular-season games, spearheading their surprising run to the playoffs. He threw for 716 yards and three touchdowns without an interception while completing nearly 75 percent of his passes over the winning streak.

While the Steelers will have their full complement of starters on offense, they'll be without their best player, T.J. Watt, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Missing Watt will put the underdog Steelers at even longer odds to upset the Bills, who come into the postseason red-hot after winning their last five games. A preseason Super Bowl contender, Buffalo spent most of the regular season battling inconsistency but is playing its best football at the most critical time.

Rudolph serving as the Steelers' starter gives them the best chance to win. He's been accurate, avoided turnovers and managed the scheme well during a period Pittsburgh had to win out to land a Wild Card spot.

However, the decision will further complicate the future of Kenny Pickett. The second-year quarterback started the first 12 games of the season and has a 14-10 overall record in two years as a starter. That said, the Steelers offense sputtered with Pickett leading the charge, with the Pitt product throwing for just six touchdowns while dinking and dunking the ball across the field.

Pittsburgh won't be in a position to replace Pickett in April's NFL draft, but it's fair to wonder if the front office will look long and hard at finding a replacement in free agency.