The Pittsburgh Steelers are finally in the win column after their prime-time win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Raymond James Stadium. On a short week, they don’t have time to dwell on the win, what with the Baltimore Ravens coming into Heinz Field for a Week-4, prime-time game on Sunday Night Football. Something I did last season and I’m going to start again is the Black-and-Gold Links article.

This is an article where I take stories from quality news sources across the Internet, and add them here for your viewing pleasure. I won’t be posting the entire articles, but I’ll link each story and author so that you can read the full article.

Today we talk about Ben Roethlisberger being at the stage of his career where it doesn’t matter what kind of statistics he puts up, it’s strictly a mat wins and losses.

Let’s get to the news:

Kevin Gorman: Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger not focused on stats

By: Kevin Gorman, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for 300 yards or more in each of the first three games, something the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback had never previously done to start a season.

What should be the twilight of his 15-year NFL career has instead seen Roethlisberger respond with personal-record performances, more out of necessity for a team that can’t seem to stop opposing offenses.

Passing for 353 yards and three touchdowns in the Steelers’ 30-27 victory at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football earned Roethlisberger AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, but he’s focused on a different set of numbers: The Steelers’ 1-1-1 record.

“Honestly, I’d rather be 3-0 and not throw for 300. For me, it’s always about winning and losing,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday. “But I also think that’s the direction offenses are going and games are going. You look at the number of points that are being scored and I think you’ve got to keep up with the Joneses, if you will.”

For Big Ben, it’s been about keeping up with the Mahomeses and Fitzpatricks, if you will.

Patrick Mahomes threw for 326 yards and six scoring passes, outplaying Roethlisberger even as he rallied the Steelers from a 21-point, first-quarter deficit by passing for 452 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Fitzpatrick, conversely, came up short after leading the Bucs back from a 20-point halftime deficit by passing for 411 yards and three scores.

Roethlisberger ranks second in the NFL in passing yards, yet is rankled more that the Steelers didn’t start the season 3-0 as their schedule suggested they would. Instead, they are tied with the Cleveland Browns (again) for last place in the AFC North.

“Well, we’ve only got one win,” Roethlisberger said. “To me and the offense and Randy (Fichtner), it’s not about stats. It’s about winning and losing. We didn’t put up any goals this year, in terms of points or yards or where we wanted to rank. We just wanted to win football games. So, to have only one win, I would say offensively we’re not doing our job.”

Backup O-linemen BJ Finney, Matt Feiler prove worth in start against Buccaneers

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Down two starters on the right side of the offensive line, Ben Roethlisberger had chances to change play calls directed to that side of the formation Monday night against Tampa Bay.

Like he also has done so many times with his right arm this season, Roethlisberger passed.

“There wasn’t one change I made,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday. “(Offensive coordinator) Randy (Fichtner) might have called something to put a tight end over there, but when we were in the no-huddle and I was calling plays, I didn’t think about it one time.”

Such was the comfort level Roethlisberger had with a right side that featured Matt Feiler making his first career start at right tackle and B.J. Finney starting for the second time at right guard.

With the newcomers helping pass protect for Roethlisberger and block for running back James Conner, the Steelers put up 413 net yards in a 30-27 victory at Raymond James Stadium.

“To me, that’s the ultimate compliment to the two guys out there,” Roethlisberger said. “Obviously, Finney plays a lot (at other spots), so that’s not new but for ‘Anchor’ to be out there, I thought he did a great job.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Finney (72.3) and Feiler (67.9) were the highest-graded Steelers linemen in the game. The web site graded Finney as allowing just three pressures in 114 pass blocks over two games while replacing injured All-Pro right guard David DeCastro.

“I know they are really good friends, and it showed,” DeCastro said. “They did good job holding it down on that side.”

Joe Haden says he received drug test at 3 a.m. Tuesday

By: Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

Cornerback Joe Haden has a new item for the NFL absurdity file, thanks to the drug test waiting for him after the Steelers’ flight home from Tampa, Florida.

Haden said he received a drug test around 3 a.m. Tuesday, more than three hours after the Steelers’ 30-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

”Right when we left Tampa they were like, ‘Joe, when we land, you’ve got a drug test,’” said Haden, who tweeted about the test this week.

“It was me, (kicker Chris) Boswell had one -- it was like seven of us that had a drug test. I was like, ‘Dude, you can just tell me to come back in the morning.’ I don’t get it,” he said.

Players around the league are randomly selected for drug testing throughout the season, and they must be ready to report upon notification.