Underrated no more: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger finally gets recognition

The Steelers offense is one of the most formidable in the league. Even without Martavis Bryant and Le'Veon Bell, the Black and Gold has seen incredible productivity. DeAngelo Williams has filled in admirably for Le'Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown is perennially awesome.

The biggest factor in the Steelers success on the offense? Mike Munchak? Todd Haley? Sadly, they almost get more credit than the man at the helm of the Steelers offense: Ben Roethlisberger.

Finally, it appears Roethlisberger is underrated no more. At least for now. In a ranking of quarterbacks based on 2015 performance, NFL.com has placed Ben Roethlisberger at No. 2, behind Aaron Rodgers and ahead of Tom Brady. How good is Roethlisberger this year? Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com suggested he could be a candidate for league MVP.

Among Roethlisberger's impressive stats thus far are 10 passes for over 20 yards in the air. Amazing. And that was without Martavis Bryant, one of the offensive weapons that has helped Big Ben stretch the field. So far this season, Roethlisberger has an average pass yardage of 11.1. The season is still young, but that is an amazing statistic, one that can only improve with the return of Martavis Bryant.

Checking in on the rest of the AFC North, Andy Dalton was No. 19 and Joe "Is he elite?" Flacco came in at No. 11. The duo of Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown were at 31, labeled a "question mark."

Despite years of fans thinking Roethlisberger was underrated and underappreciated, it seems those days are long gone as his play on the field is garnering the attention of fans, the opposition and media everywhere. Well deserving for the Steelers' signal caller, but the job now turns from being considered elite, to staying elite. A proposition which will only become easier with Le'Veon Bell back in the lineup, and Martavis Bryant and Maurkice Pouncey due back later in the season.