Harris shines in mud and sleet to help keep Steelers hopes alive

by Bo Marchionte
Published January 6th, 2024, 08:51 PM

Baltimore, MD – The first order of business needed to be taken care of by the Pittsburgh Steelers was defeating the Ravens. Their playoff survival was dependent on the 17-7 win over the Ravens in front of 70,355 in attendance at M&T Bank.

While Pittsburgh was getting pelted with snow the city of Baltimore was getting submerged in rain. Pouring rain fell from the skies as the Ravens hosted the Steelers in the season finale. Fans at the hotel were discussing the dramatic drop in ticket prices as Baltimore was resting several starters and most noticeably MVP candidate Lamar Jackson.

“That weather is not ideal though,” joked rookie right tackle Broderick Jones. “You know I’m from the south and I don’t like the rain and the wet.”

The scenario played into the hands of Pittsburgh, feeding Najee Harris the ball enroute to his second 100-yard rushing game of the season (back-to-back) and sixth of his career. His 112 yards on 26 carries helped him surpass the 1,000-yard mark for the third consecutive year.

The weight was put on the shoulders of Najee Harris in the first quarter with the former first-round pick taking four consecutive snaps for 25 tough running yards to give Pittsburgh a 7-0 lead with 2:36 left in the opening quarter. It capped off a 76-yard drive for the Steelers.

“Especially considering the conditions,” Mike Tomlin emphatically said of the importance of using Harris in the soaking wet cold conditions throughout the game. “Najee (Harris) has a certain demeanor and play style that we covet and value. That’s why we went to Tuscaloosa to get him and today was an example of that.”

The Ravens earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture and afforded Baltimore the luxury of resting key players as they focus on the playoffs and returning to their third Super Bowl. Pittsburgh entered the game with a 50.1 chance of making the playoffs according to The Athletic’s Austin Mock, while the Bills are 82 percent and the Jaguars at 67.9 percent.

“I am, I’m not even going to lie to yah,” Patrick Peterson said after the game. I’m going to be watching every game that is important to us.”

Now the Steelers need both the Colts and Titans to tie or the Bills or Jaguars suffer defeats in the final week of the regular season. The cheers echoing out of the locker room was hard to ignore after the team went behind closed doors to take in their 10th win of the season.

“Just very very happy on the way we finished the season,” Peterson said of the boisterous and jubilant sounds that could be heard. “In order for us to give ourselves a shot we had to win these three games and that we did. We will see what happens.”

Even if the team fails to make the playoffs which would be the second straight season. The fact that they are ending the season on a three game winning streak after a horrendous three game skid that saw them lose back-to-back games to two two win teams at home. The turn around is typical of Tomlin’s ability to get this team focus, but also lends a hand to the criticism that led the team to their in the first place. 

Through it all, third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph once again performed at a winning level for the Steelers. Another mistake free game despite a Ravens defense that was furiously applying pressure to the four year veteran. 

Completing 18 of his 20 pass attempts in the conditions played in Baltimore today is a resilient effort. Ravens free safety did drop an easy interception by Rudolph but other than that he played precisely how Pittsburgh needs him to play. 

Mistake free and accurate. Completing 90% of your throws which includes a 71-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson was part of the recipe needed to win. Since his introduction into the offense as a starter, we’ve all witnessed a balanced offense in Pittsburgh. 

Running the football, hitting receivers deep. A balanced offense that has been absent with Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky under center. Pittsburgh has a real shot at making the playoffs. Sticking with Rudolph if that comes to fruition is a momentous decision by a franchise that took Pickett in the first-round in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Steelers’ fans got their wish – A win! 

A little bit of help and Rudolph could get his fourth start in as many weeks with a playoff birth possibly on the horizon.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com