Steelers just put all Ben Roethlisberger hate to rest against Detroit

Considering the blatant impact that his last-minute absence had on the Steelers when they faced Detroit, Ben is clearly not the issue in Pittsburgh.

To say the least, the Steelers meeting with the winless Detroit Lions last Sunday did not go well. While tying is better than losing, just how much better is it when you’re trying to make a playoff run while they’re just trying to get a number other than zero in their win column?

But again, tying the worst team in the league is not as bad as losing at home to the worst team in the league. However, one question does need to be answered, and ASAP: what the heck is wrong with Pittsburgh Steelers?

For a while, the offensive line was the biggest target for shooting blame. Beyond that, everyone frowned on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The 39-year-old veteran has had some rocky performances in recent seasons, and Pittsburgh has struggled to make a postseason impact in that same span (assuming that they can make the postseason at all). As a result, many spectators have come to the conclusion that it’s about time for Big Ben to hang up the cleats once and for all.

But especially with this most likely being his final run with the Steelers, it appears as if the majority of fans don’t really mind him orchestrating the offense for 2021; and they certainly don’t mind it when Pittsburgh is winning.

With Roethlisberger taking charge, the black and gold were on a 4-game win streak, and the pastures were only looking greener with the 0-8 Detroit Lions coming to town. Unfortunately, that was when disaster struck.

On Saturday, Big Ben was taken off of the active players’ list for the game due to coming down with COVID-19. This was not supposed to be the end of the world, though. The response was that Roethlisberger should just get better while Mason Rudolph takes the reigns. Boy, what a rude awakening that was for Steeler Nation.

Despite Detroit being winless, playing on the road, coming off of a bye week after losing 44-6, and quarterback Jared Goff failing to throw for 120 yards in what was basically five quarters of football, Pittsburgh still had to settle for a 16-16 draw.

Now, this is not all Rudolph’s fault. For example, both Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth fumbled the ball away in crucial moments; both of those turnovers played big roles in the tie being necessary. But nonetheless, the offense’s 1-touchdown performance proves that the team’s woes run much deeper than Big Ben. So where do they end?

I, personally, am not sure. However, some changes better be made soon, because the Bears and Lions were the easy parts. Now, the Steelers have to handle two back-to-back road trips to Los Angeles and Cincinnati to face the Chargers and Bengals, respectively. And after that, another divisional battle, this time being with the Ravens. Yikes.