Steelers Film Room: Ben Roethlisberger slinging the rock like it was 2014

Arm strength—some call it overrated, some call it a necessity. Depending on what type of offense you’re running, you either need it, or it isn’t the highest on the list of required traits.

If you’re the Steelers though, a lot of the plays you run towards the sideline simply would never work without the arm strength of Ben Roethlisberger. This was on display multiple times vs the Green Bay Packers, specifically when he threw into the “honey hole.”

The honey hole is the area along the sidelines in between the CB and Safety in Cover-2. This throw is typically reserved for QBs that can throw with ample velocity down the sideline and with great ball placement.

Ben had two notable hole shots in this game, the first one was a TD.

The Packers’ defense is showing what might be a Cover-1 or -3 look pre snap. It looked like the leverage of the CBs gave it away, but the strong safety rolls back in the deep half, an obvious sign that it’s Cover-2. Ben saw it post-snap, held the safety with his eyes and then dropped it right in the bucket to AB in the honey hole.

This is what an elite QB does. Some may argue Ben isn’t elite anymore, but when he plays like this it’s very hard to be taken seriously with that argument.

Finally, we had the play of the game which was just a testament to AB and Ben’s chemistry when the game is on the line.

A Cover-2 look is obvious pre-snap. AB is running a corner-post and this throw is just sublime. This is placed in the best spot you can put it, towards the sideline away from both the safety and CB, while also putting it over the CB and in between the safety over the top.

AB pulled off one of the best toe-taps you’ll see; however, the throw by Ben is a throw fans have become spoiled with. Only Hall of Fame QBs make that throw in that situation and put it in the right spot consistently.

Ben is playing with plenty of confidence lately, and it all started with the second half vs. Indianapolis in Week 10. Ever since, in his body language and mental game, it’s become extremely apparent that he’s playing his best football since 2014. This is the Ben Roethlisberger the Steelers are going to need down the stretch.

Let’s hope he can continue this performance on the road vs. Cincinnati, a team that has been playing better in recent weeks.