Roethlisberger rests, Rudolph to start finale vs. Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers will start Mason Rudolph at quarterback versus the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 while Ben Roethlisberger rests up for the playoffs.

Pittsburgh is still in play for the AFC's No. 2 seed but can't get a bye through Wild Card Weekend with the NFL's new and expanded playoff format.

"Given an opportunity to airmail a player or two into the postseason, we'll do that," head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala.

Roethlisberger labored through the last quarter of the schedule, though he tossed three second-half touchdowns Sunday to lead Pittsburgh to a 28-24 comeback over the Indianapolis Colts. He'll finish the regular season with 3,804 yards, 33 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 94.1 passer rating.

Rudolph, meanwhile, will face the same Browns team he was involved in a brawl with last season when Myles Garrett ripped off his helmet and bashed him over the head.

Tomlin added he could reduce snap counts for other veterans in the finale but doesn't plan to sit them completely.

"Our job is winning," Tomlin said. "We intend to do our job. We intend to prepare with that mindset."

The Browns can punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2002 if they defeat the Steelers. Pittsburgh coasted to a 38-7 win in the teams' first meeting this season.

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