Steelers: It all comes down to Ben Roethlisberger
By Jack Tolman
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the playoffs with eyes set toward Super Bowl 50, and Ben Roethlisberger‘s play could decide how far they go.
Ben Roethlisberger has had a season plagued by injuries, tough teams, close games, and despite everything in his way, he has found a way to get the Steelers to the playoffs, and put them into position to make a run for the crown.
In recent weeks, Big Ben has not been playing up to expectations. Being one of the greatest quarterbacks in the league, fans expect him to play like one, but his knack for turnovers lately has been troublesome, and could spoil the Steelers’ season.
Entering Cincinnati on Saturday night, Pittsburgh cannot afford Ben Roethlisberger throwing interceptions. He’s had three straight games with 2 or more interceptions, and that simply won’t cut it in January.
The prolific offense of the Steelers has carried this team so far this season, and with the recent injury likely keeping running back DeAngelo Williams out of the game this weekend, the passing game needs to be strong, and against a strong secondary, it will be hard.
Pittsburgh has had no problem solving tough defenses this season. Pittsburgh blasted through Denver, the top defense in the league, in the second half of play of the game they played earlier this year. Antonio Brown scored 2 touchdowns against a cornerback, Chris Harris, who hadn’t allowed one since 2013.
Roethlisberger needs to find Antonio Brown, and force Cincinnati to place double, or even triple coverage on him. That will allow their other wide receivers, Bryant and Wheaton, to hopefully emerge in the game. Let’s hope that Roethlisberger’s words to Bryant this year will invoke change, and push him to play harder.
Obviously, every part of the game is important. The defense is going to need to find a way to step up, and stop the Bengals strong offense. Likely, they’ll struggle against wide receiver AJ Green, and possibly running back Jeremy Hill, forcing the game into a shootout.
Ben Roethlisberger needs to be able to win a shootout if they go into one, something we know he’s capable of. Luckily, he’s the veteran in a situation that’ll likely be the young AJ McCarron versus him.
The two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback knows what it takes. He knows his job, and he’s been in this situation before. If he can turn around his game, and play to his capabilities, the sky is the limit, and Pittsburgh could do some real damage in the playoffs.