5 things we learned: Rudolph enjoys deep connection with Steelers receivers

Five things we learned from Browns 24, Steelers 22:

1. Third time’s the charm

For someone who hadn’t started a game in more than a year and had seen only occasional mop-up work, Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph showed deft touch on his deep passes while throwing for a career-best 315 yards.

Rudolph had five passes of at least 26 yards and three of at least 41. More impressively, four of those completions came on third or fourth down.

Per Pro Football Focus, Rudolph’s nine deep pass attempts and four completions ranked second in Week 17, trailing only the Detroit Lions’ Matthew Stafford, who completed 5 of his 11 deep balls. Rudolph, though, led all passers with 155 yards on his deep completions, two more than Stafford’s total.

Rudolph’s 41-yard completion to Diontae Johnson in the second quarter came on third-and-11 and set up Matthew Wright’s first field goal. In the third quarter, Rudolph found Chase Claypool for a 41-yard gain on a third-and-7 to help set up Wright’s third field goal.

Rudolph had two fourth-down completions on the Steelers’ first touchdown drive, including the 28-yard connection to Claypool in the end zone.

Rudolph also had a 26-yard completion to JuJu Smith-Schuster on a third-and-9.

2. Starting over

The week off will provide a fresh start for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, center Maurkice Pouncey, outside linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. They won’t be the only familiar faces returning to the lineup when the Steelers and Browns meet for Part 3 of their season series in the AFC wild-card round.

Left guard Matt Feiler is eligible to be activated from injured reserve, and inside linebacker Robert Spillane already had missed enough time to fulfill short-term IR requirements. If fully healthy, Feiler could step back in for rookie Kevin Dotson, who has played well in extended snaps. Spillane can help out in the middle of the defense where Avery Williamson has served as the starter in his absence.

It’s not as certain whether the Steelers will get back any of the three players who wound up on the reserve/covid-19 list Saturday. Cornerback Joe Haden’s reported positive test puts him in danger of missing the playoff game because he must go through a 10-day isolation period. Tight end Eric Ebron and depth outside linebacker Cassius Marsh have a chance to return if they did not test positive for covid-19.

Given the absence of Devin Bush and Bud Dupree because of season-ending injuries, the Steelers can use as many healthy bodies as possible on defense as they try to navigate through January.

3. Running it up

Aided by some razzle dazzle courtesy of Josh Dobbs and a downfield passing game that kept the Browns defense from crowing the box, the Steelers showed some slight improvement in the running game.

Gaining 85 yards on 20 carries was a step up from the previous week when the Steelers totaled 22 yards in their victory against Indianapolis. James Conner gained a team-high 37 yards on nine attempts. Dobbs added 20 yards on a pair of keepers to offset nondescript performances from Anthony McFarland (17 yards) and Benny Snell (10).

Again, the performance was anything but eye-opening but could be construed as progress.

Coach Mike Tomlin admitted the Steelers might keep Dobbs active for the playoff opener to take advantage of his speed running the ball. Rudolph’s ability to complete deep passes also benefited the Steelers chances of running against the Browns defense.

Even with Rudolph taking the snaps, the Steelers attempted 44 passes and 20 runs, a ratio that might widen with Roethlisberger back in charge next weekend.

4. Improving his stock

If the Steelers need to rely on Wright in the postseason, they will feel more confident about the diminutive kicker’s ability to make long-distance field goals.

Wright booted a pair of 46-yarders in addition to making a 29-yard field goal, and he provided the only offense for the Steelers through the first three quarters.

It was the third time and second week in a row the Steelers called on Wright after an injury to Chris Boswell. After missing the game against Washington with a hip injury, Boswell sat out his second consecutive game with a groin injury.

Wright has made all four of his field-goal attempts — and seven extra points — this season.

“He is earning his stripes,” Tomlin said.

Wright’s short kickoffs remain an issue, but it’s something the Steelers may have to live with if Boswell doesn’t bounce back soon.

5. Snap judgment

Tomlin didn’t get any of his three reserve offensive linemen into the game as the starting five of Alejandro Villanueva, Kevin Dotson, J.C. Hassenauer, David DeCastro and Chuks Okorafor went the distance.

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick also was an ironman, becoming the only player to log all 62 defensive snaps. Otherwise, Tomlin was able to look at some of his younger players.

McFarland got 13 snaps as Jaylen Samuels was relegated to special teams play. Ray-Ray McCloud’s offensive snaps increased, and Deon Cain even got onto the field for six plays.

On defense, Cam Sutton capably filled in for Haden as a starting corner. Chris Wormley got 42 snaps on the defensive line and produced one of the Steelers’ four sacks. James Pierre got 18 snaps at cornerback.

Former second-rounder Sean Davis even saw extended playing time, getting 43 snaps in place of Edmunds.