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Ben Roethlisberger tops an elite group with a perfect game against the Panthers

The Steelers quarterback became the only player in NFL history to have finished a game with a perfect QB rating on four separate occasions after his efforts against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.

NFL: Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers Phillip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger might not get much mention when the the discussion turns to the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, but the records the Pittsburgh Steelers signal caller has accumulated over the years cannot be ignored. By finishing his Week 10 game against the Carolina Panthers with a perfect quarterback rating, Big Ben added another title to his impressive career.

Ending the night with a stat line of 22 completions from 25 attempts for 328-yards and five touchdowns was good enough to earn Roethlisberger a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3, a feat he has now achieved more than anyone else in their career. Previously in a tie with Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning, who managed to record perfection three times, Roethlisberger now tops the group with Tom Brady back in fourth place with just two.

The last time Roethlisberger finished a game with a rating of 158.3 was back in 2007, a year in which he achieved the feat twice, while the first time he achieved the mark was in 2005. However, his numbers from Thursday night eclipse any he put up in those previous outings.

  • 2005 Week 1 vs. Tennessee Titans, Roethlisberger was 9 of 11 for 218 yards and 2 touchdowns in a game won by Pittsburgh 35-7.
  • 2007 Week 9 vs. Baltimore Ravens, Roethlisberger was 13 out of 16 for 209 yards and 5 touchdowns in a game won by Pittsburgh 38-7.
  • 2007 Week 16 at St Louis Rams, Roethlisberger was 16 out of 20 for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns in a game won by Pittsburgh 41-24.

While some might question Big Ben’s Hall of Fame credentials, he is also the only quarterback in NFL history to have ever thrown for more than 500 yards in a game three times and it is statistics like these that highlight just how exceptional he has been throughout his career. Perhaps more so than any other quarterback in the NFL, they illustrate the high level Roethlisberger is capable of playing at on his best days. When he is in a zone, there are few quarterbacks who can match him.