The most important position in football is quarterback. Good to great play at that position can lead to championships. Inconsistent and poor play can lead to long, miserable seasons. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, inconsistency has led to a roller coaster of a campaign. Three different quarterbacks have started a game this season for Pittsburgh. The fact the Steelers are 8-7 with a chance at the playoffs is equally impressive and frustrating. For better or for worse, this Pittsburgh Steelers season hangs on the uncertain play at the quarterback position.
Pittsburgh Steelers Season Hangs on Uncertainty at the Quarterback Position
Injuries Have Plagued the Quarterbacks
It is difficult to have consistency when you can’t stay healthy. That very well could be the story of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, let alone the quarterbacks. Long-time starter Ben Roethlisberger was lost just six quarters into the season. The loss of the team’s offensive leader was a huge blow. Uncertainty surrounding his future was put to rest as Big Ben delivered one of the best Christmas presents he could to Steelers fans.
P.S. Contrary to recent reports out there about my football future and my ‘uncertainty’ about playing again, I am working hard and am more determined than ever to come back stronger and better than ever next year!
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) December 25, 2019
When Roethlisberger went down, in stepped backup Mason Rudolph. Rudolph came in and played very well until Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas knocked him out in Rudolph’s fourth game with a concussion. From that point, Rudolph’s play was quite uneven until he found himself benched in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rudolph had his chance at redemption last week against the New York Jets but injured his shoulder after little more than a quarter of play. Rudolph has now joined Roethlisberger on injured reserve, ending his 2019 season.
Production Has Been a Roller Coaster Ride
No quarterback that has lined up for the Steelers this year has exactly set the world on fire. Roethlisberger only played six quarters this season, but he was quite unlike his usual self. Part of that can be blamed on adjusting to life without Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Part of it can be blamed on the strong defense from the New England Patriots. Ben’s two games of 2019 were the first time he had consecutive games with a completion percentage in the 50s in two years. It was a rough start, but Ben has overcome slow starts before.
Replacing Big Ben hasn’t been easy. Rudolph and undrafted rookie Devlin Hodges have both been inconsistent themselves. Rudolph played in 10 games this season and was 5-3 as a starter. Rudolph’s 62.2 completion percentage is respectable enough, but his 1,765 yards and 13 touchdowns with nine interceptions leave more to be desired. Rudolph topped 250 passing yards just once in his 10 games. His 15 sacks hurt the offense’s flow at times, and his 34.9 quarterback rating needs improvement. Rudolph has potential, but he needs time and experience to unlock it.
For Hodges, he has played in seven games and started five games more than anyone expected. Hodges filled in for an injured Rudolph early in the season before taking over as the starter later on. It hasn’t been all roses with Hodges either. His 67.4 completion percentage is impressive, but less so when looking at his 968 yards with five touchdowns and eight interceptions. Hodges topped 200 yards passing just twice, and never had multiple passing touchdowns. His 3-2 record as a starter doesn’t do much to overshadow his 13 sacks and 33.0 quarterback rating. Hodges has done more than what anyone would have expected, but it hasn’t been pretty.
Playoff Hopes and the Pittsburgh Steelers Season Hangs in the Balance
Pittsburgh concludes their season against the hated Ravens. While Baltimore has won the AFC North and clinched the top seed, the Steelers are shockingly in the playoff hunt. The Ravens will be resting several starters, including Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram. This affords Pittsburgh a great opportunity to beat their division rival and potentially sneak into the playoffs. That is all predicated on Hodges rediscovering his non-turnover prone form. In his last six quarters, Hodges has six interceptions. He was efficient in relief for Rudolph earlier in the season when these two teams played. However, Hodges was quite unknown then. As teams have prepared to face him, Hodges has struggled. He will need to play one of the best games of his short career to help Pittsburgh make the playoffs.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Steelers season, and their playoff hopes, will be decided on Sunday. Pittsburgh squandered the ability to control their destiny by losing to the Jets last Sunday. The Steelers need Hodges to play one of the best games of his career on Sunday against the Ravens. A win there, along with a Tennessee Titans loss to the Houston Texans, will ensure a return to the playoffs. It all hinges on the quarterback. In a season filled with inconsistent play at the position, Sunday’s game will be stressful for Steelers fans from the opening whistle.
