Steelers Spotlight: QB Ben Roethlisberger is Key in Wild Card Round Playoffs at Denver

Can’t say I disagree with you Neal. I’ve said this in the past…….this offense is underachieving. It has been for a few yrs. Ben and BA are really the only constants. Somehow, these two, together, do not elevate this O where it needs to go. Unless they go on a really nice playoff run I don’t see BA back next yr……cuz you can’t move BB.

Ben’s performance will be an important part of the game today, he does need support from the running game. I think the injuries have had a direct impact on Ben’s performance. If we go back to his good play from the December 4th game vs. the Bengals, that’s when the broken thumb occurred late in that contest. Of course, later, the serious ankle injury.

This is still the same game who outplayed Brady prior to the injuries. I just don’t know many other QBs who have been as effective as they were before playing with a broken thumb and high ankle sprain. One former NFL QB said he he a high ankle sprain and didn’t feel better until March.

Neil, I enjoy many of your posts, but I disagree with the premise of this one.

I dont think you can tell a player who orchestrated a 2:00 drive to defeat Arizona and gain those 18 players a second ring that he “owes them”. He’s already helped win two superbowls for the fans and his teammates (more than Brees, Manning, Manning, but less than Brady – let’s not be greedy, yet).

Its hard to say a player that has been to three superbowls and another AFC Championship Game in only 7 years in the NFL is guilty of “missed opportunities”.

The number of factors that go into winning a playoff game in the NLF are innumerable. Ben could play well and we could lose, or he could play poorly and we could win (remember Seattle?).

Can’t the exact same argument – that injuries shouldn’t matter during key moments – apply to any number of players (Troy, Hampton, Pouncey, etc)? And don’t you think that Ben would love to have the three Pro-Bowl offensive linemen that protected Brees last night against Fairly and Suh?

I’m not saying Ben is as good as Brady or Brees, but there are so many more considerations to take into account aside from the play of the quarterback. I mean, doesn’t the QB across the field today prove that?

To say “This one is on you” is a very reductionist way of viewing the game of football and ignores the huge influence other players and coaches have over the game.

Ben needs to be on his A game today. His performance today will determine how we play in the rest of the playoffs if we win today.

I have said it all along, if there is one player who makes or breaks the Steelers it is Ben.

Neil, you’ve probably seen me once or a bajillion times call for Arians to improve or leave, but I think you’ve hit on a very salient point. The team is fully capable of limiting offenses to under 20 points every week without fail. With an “elite” QB and the type of playmakers around him, there is absolutely no excuse to not score 20-plus points per game.

I find it laughable that a guy throws for over 4000 yards and 21 touchdowns in 15 games, responsible for 11 of our 12 wins this season, the guy who doesn’t give up, the guy who doesn’t quit, the guy who makes magic happen….is now suddenly, 3 Superbowl apperances 2 rings and a 10-3 post season appearance record later in “make it or break it mode.” I’m sorry. “the gravy train is over.” Ridiculous. I have so many angry words for how one sided you’re being, how harsh, against a guy other teams would drool over having…a guy who doesnt need to rely on his arm to make plays, but who can and will…who is one of the few to pass for over 500 in a regular season game…I didnt realize he owed you this win today, personally.

Now, do I think we need the win? obviously. If we lose, will he be responsible? probably in some way. But I notice all those times our Defense let us down and Ben led us to 4th quarter comebacks, we didn’t hate on our entire D line. But we hold Ben to a much higher standard only? Because it’s not enough that he wins us games—he has to have a rodgers/brady/brees/stafford passing record too? Of course as our QB games rely on him, and yes he needs to deliver. But you acting like what he’s done so far this season is sub-par, or questioning if he’s good enough to keep going—ridiculous. The patriots havent won a playoff game since their last superbowl appearance and tom brady wins regular season games all the time. So—they suck, right?

Criticism is one thing. but you’re being greedy, cheap, and arrogant.

Ben is a guy that gets the win—almost always. Had our o-line been a little better or our D gotten a turnover in the Superbowl, we would have had another ring last year. If we lose today—which I don’t think we will—fine, Ben should take some blame. But I’m not giving up on him as suddenly being “average” or wishing that I had a cheesehead hat just yet.

Peyton manning has one superbowl ring…yet look what happened to his team without him. Are you going to call him a guy that is in make it or break it mode? a guy whose gravy train was over after his last superbowl loss? No, he was still regarded as great. And yes, the Colts, like every other team out there, has had loses and close games against sub-par teams. It’s in part about who wants it more. it’s in part about leadership. and it’s in part about showing what you’re made of. Ben has shown me that, injury or not, he’s a Steeler through and through, and I support him.

turn out the lights the party is over they say all good things must end