The Steelers are entrusting their NFL playoff hopes to Mason Rudolph. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Mason Rudolph has been handed the keys as the Steelers' NFL playoff hopes hang in the balance.
The fourth-year veteran will make his third straight start for Pittsburgh in a crucial game against the rival Baltimore Ravens. Kenny Pickett is healthy enough to play but will be the backup.
The Steelers have multiple paths ahead of them in the postseason, each of which needs help. Their best bet is a win over the Ravens, which coupled with a loss by the Bills or Jaguars on Sunday would clinch a playoff spot.
The Ravens have secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC and have nothing to fear in terms of playoff positioning. But that has never stopped them from putting themselves in the exact same scenario and having a chance to dash their rivals' playoff hopes. The Ravens defeated the Steelers in the 2019 season finale after already earning the No. 1 seed.
Follow Yahoo Sports for highlights and updates from Saturday's game.
Live23 updates
Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 9:59pm GMT
Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 9:59pm GMT- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 10:41pm GMT
Ravens live!! Huntley passes deep right to tight end Isaiah Likely for a 27-yard touchdown. He had to break some tackles to make it.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 10:37pm GMT
There was some drama surrounding the Ravens' punt, but the Steelers got the ball and punted for 9 yards. This will be a short game.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 10:25pm GMT
Mark Robinson sacks Huntley first of the game.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 10:17pm GMT
According to ESPN's Jamison Hensley, it was Melvin Gordon's 19th lost fumble of his career, the most by any non-QB since 2015.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 10:15pm GMT
The Steelers defense forces a turnover. After the Ravens got their first first down of the game, Melvin Gordon fumbled.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 10:14 pm GMT
The Steelers were asked to have 12 punt players to open the second game. After the game ended, the flag was raised quite late, so they had to punt again.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 10:08pm GMT
…And that's all she wrote for the first quarter. The Ravens didn't have a single first down.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 10:07pm GMT
Here is Najee's score. If you can't see the water on the camera, it's still raining.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 10:05 pm GMT
Steelers punt on a third-and-goal miss by Rudolph.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 10:03pm GMT
Things aren't going well for the Ravens so far. The Steelers are back on offense.
Tyler Huntley and the Ravens offense went three-and-out on their first two possessions. With six plays it's a total of 10 yards.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 6, 2024
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 9:54 pm GMT
Najee Harris reaches the end zone! Boswell's extra point is good and the Steelers are up 7-0. Harris already has eight carries and feels like he's running the Steelers' offense right now.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 9:48pm GMT
We have some life! Warren runs 23 yards, bringing the Steelers to the Ravens' 43-yard line.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 9:45pm GMT
The Steelers get a three-and-out after the Ravens could only go 7 yards on their first drive. One of Huntley's passes looked good, though.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 9:40pm GMT
The Steelers were unable to convert on third down and had to punt. Tyler Huntley is here!
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 9:38pm GMT
The first few broadcasts were a good indicator of what we will see over the course of this game. Steelers running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren both wobbled the ball in the slippery conditions.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 9:31pm GMT
The Ravens win the toss and adjourn, the Steelers will get the ball first.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 9:10pm GMT
This will be the 35th matchup between Tomlin's Steelers and John Harbaugh's Ravens, as noted in the pregame broadcast. There is a lot of history between these coaches.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 9:06 pm GMT
Mike Tomlin is ready! He led the Steelers to .500 or better in 17 seasons. If he leads the Steelers to a win today, they will have a better chance of recovering from missing the playoffs last season.
- Sat Jan 6, 2024 at 8:11pm GMT
Here are all the inactives for today. As expected, the Ravens are resting most of their stars. Minkah Fitzpatrick's absence from the Steelers is notable.
Steelers inactive
#10 QB Mitch Trubisky (3rd QB)
#17 S Trenton Thompson
No. 21 CB Darius Rush
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick
#40 LB Blake Martinez
No. 60 T Dylan Cook
#98 DE DeMarvin LealRavens Inactive
No. 3 WR Odell Beckham Jr.
No. 4 WR Zay Flowers
No. 8 QB Lamar Jackson
#14 S Kyle Hamilton
No. 40 LB Malik Harrison
No. 44 CB Marlon Humphrey
No. 70 G Kevin Zeitler