In a surprising announcement made by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, it has been confirmed that Mason Rudolph will once again take the starting quarterback role as the Steelers prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks. The decision comes after a commendable performance by Rudolph in the previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he contributed 290 yards and 2 touchdowns, without any turnovers.

Previously, it was uncertain whether Kenny Pickett, the Steelers' starting quarterback, would regain his position after recovering from an ankle sprain suffered in Week 13. The underwhelming performances by backup QB Mitch Trubisky prompted the switch to Mason Rudolph, who proved to be a saving grace for Pittsburgh's playoff hopes.

While Pickett will still receive first-team reps in practice and remains available to play, the confidence in Rudolph's abilities led Coach Tomlin to entrust him with the starting role once again. This decision highlights the importance of maintaining the momentum gained from Rudolph's recent performance, especially as the Steelers seek a victory against the strong Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks have familiarity with Rudolph, as he previously stepped in for an injured Ben Roethlisberger during a 2019 matchup between the two teams. Despite a 28-26 loss, Rudolph displayed his skills by completing 12 out of 19 passes for 119 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Over the course of his 11 starts and additional playing time, Rudolph has maintained a 61.6% completion rate, throwing for 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

It is worth noting that out of the six games Rudolph won as a starter, only one of them was on the road. However, this comes with a caveat as he was benched during that game due to a below-par performance, allowing backup Devlin Hodges to lead the team to a 16-10 win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

One key aspect of Rudolph's game that the Seahawks will need to be cautious of is his ability to push the ball downfield, particularly to top receiver George Pickens. This connection proved fruitful in the previous game, and the Seahawks' defense will need to devise a strategy to mitigate this threat on Sunday.

As the Steelers prepare for their upcoming match against the Seattle Seahawks, the decision to start Mason Rudolph again signifies the trust placed in him by Coach Tomlin. With Kenny Pickett available to play and vying for his starting position, the Steelers will enter the game with a strong quarterback dilemma. Sunday's game promises to be an intriguing battle between these two AFC and NFC teams as they fight for a crucial victory in their respective playoff hunts.