Rather than play the blame game, as Ron Cook (who as you may remember, hates Pittsburgh) and Gene Collier have been doing this week, we’re looking forward.
With that in mind, we present to you today, our ode to Ben Roethlisberger in Cincinnati.
Ben has faced the Bungles 11 times (counting playoffs), more than any other team in the NFL. Of those 11 times, Ben has been on the winning end 9 times. The only two losses were a 38-31 shootout at Heinz Field in 2005 (otherwise known as the last time the Steelers lost before winning Super Bowl XL), and a 28-20 loss in Pittsburgh in 2006.
But in Ohio, Ben is king.
In NFL games in Ohio, Ben has posted a 63.4% completion percentage, with 16 touchdowns (8 each against Cincy and Cleveland) and 7 INTs. Ben needs 71 yards to surpass 2000 passing yards in Ohio during his NFL career.
Against the Bungles in Cincinnati, Ben has never had a QB rating lower than 93.2. Three times he has broken 100.
Only twice under Ben’s reign have the Steelers scored less than 20 points in Ohio. Once was a 19-14 victory at Cincy in Ben’s first year. The other was that 10-6 rain-soaked disaster last year in Cleveland.
Cincinnati supposedly was in the top half of the league in run defense last year. We put up 125 and 121 on them in two games. Could this be Mendenhall’s breakout game? We saw some flashes last week.
Oh yeah, and Hines Ward destroyed Keith Rivers’ jaw.
The only team Ben owns more than Cincinnati is Cleveland.
Clang Clang, the Warden is coming to town.
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