Steelers QB report card: Ben Roethlisberger falls flat vs Bengals

Ben misses a chance to spark a potential comeback

Situation: 2nd-and-10 at the Steelers 15-yard line, Steelers down 24-10 with 6:22 left in the 4th quarter

I can already see the comments: where is the interception to Logan Wilson where Ben didn’t seem to even see him? I totally understand, that play was a worse individual play. However, this missed deep ball to James Washington was worse in my mind because of what it could have meant for the Steeler’s chance to make the game interesting.

If Ben hits him in stride, Washington should score based on how badly he had beat Bengals corner Eli Apple. That cuts the lead to 7 with around 6 minutes left, plenty of time to try and get the ball back and complete the comeback.

It may not have mattered in the end, but the fact that Ben missed a throw where he finally had a wide-open receiver down the field was so deflating. Washington had nearly no impact in the game, but that play by itself would have been enough to make the absence of Diontae Johnson sting considerably less. He did his job, but Ben couldn’t pay it off. With the way the offense as a whole has played, missing easy opportunities like that simply can’t happen.

I wish I could say with any confidence that things can’t get worse from here, but I felt that way about the Steeler’s week 1 performance. Clearly, it can always get worse. Ben looked slower and older than ever, and time is not on his side. All the hits he has been taking combined with injuries to an already struggling offense is only going to make things harder for him going forward. That is why his final grade isn’t quite as low as I thought it would be.