Last Saturday, Mason Rudolph, the veteran quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, took center stage as the team's version of Cinderella, leading them to a 34-11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, doubts loom over whether Rudolph's impressive performance was sustainable, according to Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson.

Monson expressed skepticism about Rudolph's ability to maintain his level of play, declaring, "It probably won't even last this week. I suspect Mason Rudolph turns back into a pumpkin. It was a Christmas miracle and now it's not Christmas anymore." Despite Monson's doubts, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced that Rudolph would start in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Rudolph's opportunity to continue impressing Steelers fans comes with increased difficulty as he faces the challenge of playing in Seattle's notoriously hostile environment. The Seahawks are in a fierce battle for a playoff spot in the NFC and are coming off two consecutive victories. This presents a formidable test for Rudolph, especially considering it will be his first start on the road.

Comparisons have been made between Rudolph's potential career trajectory and that of Seattle's backup quarterback, Geno Smith. Monson and his co-host, Steve Palazzolo, discussed the possibility of Rudolph having a similar career, but acknowledged that historical outliers like Smith are rare instances and not likely to be repeated within a short period of time.

While Rudolph will have another opportunity to prove himself as the Steelers' starting quarterback in Seattle, there is speculation about his long-term future. If he fails to replicate his previous success, the team may need to continue their search for a quarterback who can consistently perform at a high level.

As Sunday's game approaches, all eyes will be on Rudolph to see if he can defy the odds and solidify his place as the Steelers' starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Whether he can continue to wear the glass slipper or if it will turn back into a pumpkin remains to be seen, but this matchup against the Seahawks will certainly test his abilities.