EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Already woeful thanks to a season marked by injuries and inexperience, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense took more hits in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the New York Jets as their playoff hopes dimmed.

Injuries to running back James Conner, center Maurkice Pouncey and quarterback Mason Rudolph -- who replaced starter Devlin Hodges in the second quarter after two interceptions, and then left the game late in the second half with a left shoulder injury -- contributed to the loss that leaves the Steelers with a win-at-all costs game in Baltimore next week.

If the Steelers beat the Ravens, they'll clinch the final AFC wild-card spot. Lose, and they'll miss the playoffs for the second year in a row. It would mark the second time in eight years the Steelers missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

Despite his four-interception game in the loss to Buffalo a week ago, Hodges remained the Steelers starting quarterback Sunday afternoon. His leash was short, though, and he was pulled for Rudolph after throwing two interceptions on the first three drives, including one in the end zone that forced coach Mike Tomlin's hand in pulling his undrafted rookie.

With Hodges' second pick, Steelers quarterbacks now have four interceptions on throws into the end zone this season, tied with the Chargers for most in the league. Hodges is responsible for three of those picks in the past two games.

Hodges' afternoon got off to a rocky start when he was intercepted by linebacker Tarell Basham on third-and-10 as he targeted Vance McDonald over the middle. Hodges' throw into triple coverage wasn't high enough, and Basham jumped up to pick it off underneath. The Steelers went three-and-out on the next drive, during which Hodges was sacked for a 5-yard loss.

The Samford product opened up his third drive with a convincing 18-yard pass to tight end Nick Vannett. Aided by a 12-yard run by James Conner and a horse collar penalty against the Jets, the Steelers reached the red zone for the first time. Instead of scoring, though, Hodges lofted a floater into a crowded end zone, and free safety Marcus Maye came down with it.

Rudolph began warming up on the sideline soon after, practicing taking snaps from center Maurkice Pouncey.

Rudolph couldn't get anything going in his first drive, but led a field goal drive on the next series. He connected with a Jaylen Samuels for a 27-yard catch-and-run play on that drive, eventually setting up for Chris Boswell's 49-yard field goal.

Rudolph then capitalized on T.J. Watt's strip sack and fumble recovery with 28 seconds remaining in the half when he hit Diontae Johnson in the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown with four seconds remaining in the half.

His success was short-lived, though. The offense was stagnant in their three third-quarter drives. They reached the cusp of field goal range at the end of the first drive, but Rudolph's third down pass to Vance McDonald lost five yards and forced a punt. The Steelers went 3-and-out on the next series.

In his final drive, Rudolph completed a 14-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster, one of the wide receiver's two catches in his return, but that was largely it.

The Steelers also lost Pouncey on that drive when the center went down with a knee injury on the first play. He limped off the field, but was eventually carted off from the sideline.

After the Steelers punted, Rudolph never returned. He went into the injury tent at the beginning of the fourth quarter. When he exited the injury tent, Rudolph mimed a throwing motion. When the Steelers offense came back on the field with 13:25 remaining in the game, Hodges was the quarterback. Rudolph remained on the sideline with his helmet on, talking to a team athletic trainer.

Though he didn't throw an interception in his second stint Sunday, Hodges was ineffective. He was sacked once and had to fall on another ball when the snap from replacement center B.J. Finney was bobbled.

Hodges got the ball back with a minute and a half to go and hit Johnson and Deon Cain with two quick passes for a first down. Facing 3rd-and-7 with a minute to go, Hodges let one fly to Washington in the end zone. He hit Washington in the hands, but Maye was there to break it up. With one more chance, Hodges targeted Smith-Schuster over the middle on the fourth-down throw, but Smith-Schuster couldn't come down with it, sealing the Steelers' loss.

The Steelers also lost their top running threat in the first half when Conner went out with a thigh injury.

Prior to his exit, Conner had six carries for 32 yards, including one 15-yard gain.

Conner missed five games throughout the season after injuring his shoulder against Miami on Oct. 28. He attempted to return Nov. 14 against Cleveland, but lasted only a quarter. After sitting out three more games, Conner played in 58 percent of the offensive snaps in the loss to Buffalo.