Mason Rudolph’s Huge First Half for Steelers Leads to So Many Christmas Jokes

The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent much of this year looking lost offensively. Quarterback Kenny Pickett has been largely pedestrian: just six touchdowns against four interceptions in 12 games.

It was time for a change. The Steelers inserted quarterback Mason Rudolph into the starting lineup for their game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday two days before Christmas.

You can guess how that turned out.

The Oklahoma State product absolutely shredded the Bengals in the first half, completing 12 of his 19 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown. Jerking awake seemingly overnight, Pittsburgh's offense rolled up 263 yards in 30 minutes en route to a 24-0 lead.

Football fans and observers responded to these events in the most predictable way possible: by making Christmas joke, after Christmas joke, after Christmas joke.

Steelers fans wondered if coach Mike Tomlin had received some seasonal inspiration.

Some got creative, alluding to other reindeer in Santa's fleet.

A few agitated for a rule change, believing trotting out Rudolph on Christmas constituted an unfair advantage.

It wasn't just online comedians getting in on the act.

All in all, Rudolph made some fans' hearts grow several sizes...

...while bringing out the Grinch-like side of others.