The Pittsburgh Steelers had more success in the deep and intermediate portions of the passing game over the final weeks of the season. That was largely because of the play of QB Mason Rudolph, who started the last three games and connected on a handful of passes of 10 or more air yards.
That isn’t what the Steelers aimed to do yesterday against the Buffalo Bills, however, and it got them into trouble when their hosts forced them into that position. Their intention was to run the ball, but with Buffalo crowding the line of scrimmage, it also cut out much of the short passing game.