Rudolph saves Christmas as Steelers rout Bengals; Bills pip Chargers at death

• Rudolph tosses two long touchdowns in Steelers' 34-11 win
• Allen shines as Bills escape with 24-22 victory over Chargers

Mason Rudolph and embattled receiver George Pickens connected for two long touchdowns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers kept their fading playoff hopes alive, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 34-11 on Saturday.

Rudolph, making his first start in two years in place of the injured Kenny Pickett and the ineffective Mitch Trubisky, hit Pickens for an 86-yard catch-and-run score on Pittsburgh's second offensive snap. He found a streaking Pickens with a 66-yard rainbow in the third quarter as the Steelers (8-7) snapped a three-game skid.