PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph attributed his team's 34-11 triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night to his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

The game marked Rudolph's first start since November 14, 2021, when the Steelers faced off against the Tennessee Titans. In an impressive performance, Rudolph completed 17 of 27 passes for 290 yards, throwing two touchdowns to help secure a crucial win that kept the Steelers in the playoff contention.

Throughout the challenges he has faced, Rudolph expressed how his faith has served as a guiding force that propelled him forward. Speaking to NBC's Kathryn Tappen post-game, Rudolph expressed his gratitude to his Creator, Jesus Christ, for not only granting him the opportunity to play the game but also for supporting him during difficult times.

"First off, I wanna say, just so thankful to my Creator, Jesus Christ, for giving me the opportunity to play this game and for carrying me through dark times and getting me back here for this special moment," stated Rudolph during the interview.

Rudolph, who has been with the Steelers since 2018 and has predominantly served as Ben Roethlisberger's backup, has had to remain resilient over the past few years. He faced competition from Mitchell Trubisky as they vied for the backup role after losing the starting position to Kenny Pickett. Notably, Rudolph signed a one-year contract in the offseason to continue with the Steelers.

Due to Pickett's injuries this season, Rudolph found himself back in the starting lineup, while Trubisky missed out on his opportunity following last week's 30-13 defeat against the Indianapolis Colts.

When asked about the significance of the victory as an early Christmas gift, Rudolph expressed his delight.

The Steelers' win improved their season record to 8-7, placing them in the ninth position in the AFC playoff standings. As the regular season nears its end, Rudolph's exceptional performance and unwavering faith have undoubtedly contributed to the Steelers' playoff hopes and have left fans eagerly anticipating their team's next moves.