Ben Roethlisberger's Record At Heinz Field

by Michael Bean on May 16, 2008 3:28 PM EDT

I haven't been able to follow the 2008 NBA Playoffs as closely as I would have liked, but I've watched and read enough to realize that home teams are absolutely dominating, particuarlly in the conference semifinal round. This reality had me thinking about how good the Steelers have been at Heinz Field since Big Ben took over the starting QB duties full-time in 2004. Let's take a look.

2004:

vs. Cincinnati (W. 28-17)
vs. Cleveland (W 34-23)
vs. New England (W 34-20)
vs. Philadelphia (W 27-3)
vs. Washington (W 16-7)
vs. New York Jets (W 17-6)
vs. Baltimore (W 20-7)

Overall 2004 Home Record: 7-0 (Ben didn't start Week 1 home victory vs. Oakland)
Overall 2004 Home Point Differential: 176-63

2005:

vs. Tennessee (W 34-7)
vs. New England (L 20-23)
vs. Jacksonville (L 17-23)
vs. Baltimore (W 20-19)
vs. Cleveland (W 34-21)
vs. Cincinnati (L 31-38)
vs. Chicago (W 21-9)
vs. Detroit (W 35-21)

Overall 2005 Home Record: 5-3
Overall 2005 Home Point Differential: 212-161

2006:

vs. Miami (W 28-17)
vs. Cincinnati (L 20-28)
vs. Kansas City (W 45-7)
vs. Denver (L 20-31)
vs. New Orleans (W 38-31)
vs. Tampa Bay (W 20-3)
vs. Cleveland (W 27-7)
vs. Baltimore (L 7-31)

Overall 2006 Home Record: 5-3
Overall 2006 Home Point Differential: 205-124

2007:

vs. Buffalo (W 26-3)
vs. San Francisco (W 36-17)
vs. Seattle (W 21-0)
vs. Baltimore (W 38-7)
vs. Cleveland (W 31-28)
vs. Cincinnati (W 24-10)
vs. Jacksonville (L 22-29)

Overall 2007 Home Record: 7-1
Overall 2007 Home Point Differential: 198-94

OVERALL 2004-2007 HOME RECORD: 24-7
OVERALL 2004-2007 HOME POINT DIFFERENTIAL: 791- 442

I don't have much time this afternoon to delve into any sort of analysis, but really, there's not that much that needs to be said. Even in 2005 when we won the Super Bowl, and in 2006 when Ben was hurt, we were still very, very good at home. And in 2004, we were dominant, while in 2007, despite all our flaws, we were nearly unbeatable. I'd love to get a psychologist's take on why athletes perform so much better at home than on the road. It's somewhat easy to understand why the disparity in performance exists, but the degree to which it is pronounced never ceases to amaze me.

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Comments

Ben's my Hero

No doubt, we all love Big Ben. The truly scary thing is that I think we can all agree we haven’t seen him play his best football yet.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on May 16, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

and before anybody calls me out on it

I am aware Ben didnt play vs Miami in the opener in 2006. We would have won that game anway, even with Ben physically beat up so I included it anyway :)

by Michael Bean on May 16, 2008 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

Road record

His record on the road his first two years was pretty impressive as well (6-0 in 2004, and 6-2 in 2005). Although in 2005, I think he missed two games due to injury. I can’t remember if both were road games, but I believe we were 1-1 in those games.

Unfortunately, we’ve gone down some since then on the road, 3-5, each of the last two years. Of course, last year we probably would have been 4-4 if not for already having the conference wrapped up going into Baltimore.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on May 16, 2008 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Out of town opinion

As a Southern California Steeler Fan I can only see the Steelers when they play in San Diego. I often hear the television commentators discussing how well the Steelers fanbase travel and I have to say it’s true. We truly take over Qualcom Stadium with our terrible towels and do our best to make our team feel at home. Unfortunately the last time around San Diego won the game.

The truth is that there’s nothing like home cookin’ and the atmosphere that comes with it. I suppose most quality franchises dominate at home and the Steelers are no exception. Some day (sigh) I want to come out to the Burgh, watch a game at Heinz field and smell that hometown cookin’ !!!!!

by Steev1705 on May 16, 2008 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

welcome Steev!

I too have lived in Southern California (Irvine/newport beach). I can’t wait to get out there in a few months.

I’ll take a look at our road record later today or this weekend, but regardless of how we’ve done, there’s no denying that Steelers fans are absolutely everywhere.

by Michael Bean on May 16, 2008 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

The Chargers

are actually so pathetic and know we will take over Qualcom so they make you buy a season package if you want the game against the Steelers. The “package” that includes the Steelers also includes 4 other games (2 are preseason!) for $90 a game per ticket. By the way, the seats are in Temecula!

I’m planning on making the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca from Cali on 11/16 when we play San Diego at Heinz! See you all there!

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on May 16, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Ben missed 4 games in 2005...

Hey Blitz, just an FYI, Ben missed four games in the Superbowl year due to injury. He missed the Jacksonville game early on, maybe week 3 or 4. Then he missed three games in the middle of the season after surgery on his knee. Those games were against Green Bay, Cleveland and Baltimore. Tommy Maddox started the Jax and Ravens games, while Batch started the Green Bay and Cleveland games. We won the two Batch starts and lost the two Maddox starts.

by manosteel9423 on May 16, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions