out of all the reindeers, you know you're the mastermind 🔴
Week 16! 🎄
The Acrisure Stadium crowd sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on Christmas Eve Eve during the Mason Rudolph game.
The story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with its message of acceptance and perseverance, has endured through the decades, becoming the longest-running Christmas special in television history and one of the most famous Christmas songs of all time, selling 150 million copies worldwide.
Mason Rudolph’s gone from:
Thinking he’s the Steelers starting QB, to
Watching the Steelers sign Trubisky, to
Watching the Steelers draft Pickett, to
Watching the Steelers draft a 2nd QB, to
Watching the Steelers sign player in the middle of the worst night of his career.
Last night, the Steelers scored more points in one half than they have in 12 out of 14 games they have played this year. The exceptions:
Week 2 vs CLE: 26 - 22 W
Week 7 vs LAR: 24 - 17 W
The Script writers really hit the nail on the head. Rudolph leading this Steelers offense to 34 points on Christmas weekend.
🎄 290 yards 🎄
🎄 2 touchdowns 🎄
In 1939, US retailer Montgomery Ward faced a challenge in creating a Christmas promotion for children. To address this, they decided to produce a book with an original story for their stores.
H.E. MacDonald, a retail sales manager, approached copywriter Bob May to write the story.
May wasn't in a good place. He was 33, his wife was dying of cancer and he was in debt. He had hoped to write the great American novel but instead was writing about men’s shirts for a retail and catalog company.
Initially met with skepticism, the 32-page illustrated story of Rudolph became a sensation, with 2.4 million copies distributed in 1939.
Due to paper shortages during World War II, plans to print more copies were delayed, but in 1946, Rudolph's story made a triumphant return, with 3.6 million copies distributed.
In 1947, Montgomery Ward handed over the copyright for Rudolph to May. With the copyright in hand, May's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, turned the story into a song, which was eventually recorded by Gene Autry and became a massive hit.
Patrick Mahomes is also well known for his cover of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
In 1964, Rudolph's tale was adapted into an animated television special, further solidifying its place in popular culture and onto NFL cleats, like these from Kyle Rudolph seven years ago.
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4: Puka Nacua has four 150+ yard games. More games than Randy Moss in 1998 (3) and Ja'Marr Chase in 2021 (3).
6: Since their bye week, the 49ers have won 6 straight games by 12 points or more. Since 1999, there have been only 2 longer streaks: the 1999 Rams (7 straight games) and, of course, the 2007 Patriots (8 straight games).
31: The number of ways the Jaguars offense has actively hurt itself this year is honestly difficult to comprehend. 31st in EPA lost on drops. 30th in EPA lost on fumbles. 31st in EPA lost on WR/TE screens. 30th in EPA gained on run plays. Trying to stay afloat with cement shoes on.
103: CeeDee Lamb has 103 catches entering Sunday. With his 107 receptions last year, Lamb is the FIRST wide receiver in team history to have multiple 100+ reception seasons
2 [TRIVIA]: The Steelers have not finished last in their division since WHEN?
This is the longest active streak in the NFL. Yesterday’s win over the Bengals moved them from last to 3rd in the division with 2 games left to go.
Quotes
"I mean, there's a difference between competing and winning. We haven't beat them in a long time. So, [we've] got to find a way to win."
Raiders DE Maxx Crosby, who is 1-8 vs. Patrick Mahomes and the KC Chiefs
“I don't think that sits well in anybody's stomach.”
Saquon Barkley on Giants' struggles vs. Eagles
“Scared money don’t make money.”
Mike Tomlin on what the mentality going into this week of prep was
"I got to find a way to make my bad plays incompletions and not throw picks. Any time you throw three picks, you won't win many games."
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Picks
Sunday, 12/24 @ 1pm
Colts at Falcons U44.5
Commanders at Jets O37
Browns at Texans +3
Texans have 47% of the bets and 52% of the money: +5% differential
Sunday, 12/24 @ 4:25pm
Cowboys at Dolphins -1
Record
ATS: 42-42-4 (-2.78u)
O/U: 29-35-3 (-8.61)u
Highlights
Jaylen Warren wasn’t lying when he said he would block for George Pickens
Mason Rudolph sees George Pickens on the sideline and makes the connection for a 66-yard Touchdown
Pressure in his face. Running backwards. Throwing off balance. Josh Allen
Trivia
Steelers Have Not Finished Last in Division Since 1988, Longest Streak in NFL