Steelers Give Roethlisberger One Last Victory Lap in 26-14 Win over Browns

Story by Yinzer Crazy Co-Founder Mike Nicastro

It wasn’t pretty. But it worked.

You could write a very similar headline about the career of Ben Roethlisberger. 

In likely what was his last game at Heinz Field, Ben did what he’s done throughout his entire career: he beat the Cleveland Browns.

Roethlisberger finished 24 of 46 passing with 123 yards and 1 TD/1 INT. But nobody will remember or care about that. All they will remember is that he won the football game. Which he's done almost as much as any QB in Football. Roethlisberger now sits at 164 career wins, good for 5th place in NFL history. One spot ahead of his icon, former Broncos' great John Elway.

Similar to how things have gone for much of the season, this game certainly wasn't vintage Roethlisberger. Much like early in his career, his defense picked him up and made sure the opponent had no chance against a ferocious black and gold front. The Steelers' had 9 sacks, their most in a game since 2001, when they sacked the Tampa Bay Bucs 10 times. TJ Watt had 4 of them himself, upping his season total to 21.5. Watt said after the game that he didn't even know how many sacks he finished with because he was so caught up in the atmosphere and emotion.

The atmosphere made sure that Browns' QB Baker Mayfield was abysmal, much like he’s been all season. He finished 16 of 38 for 185 yards and 2 TD/2 INT. At one point he had 10 straight incompletions, the first QB in the NFL this season to accomplish that feat. It wasn't just TJ Watt who showed up to Ben's party. Cam Heyward, Alex Highsmith and Ahkiello Witherspoon all had incredible performances on a much needed stage.

In a lot of ways it felt like the Browns didn’t show up. Their usage of Nick Chubb, arguably the best RB in football, was puzzling. They had questionable penalties, like when Jadeveon Clowney decided to throw the shoe of Chase Claypool about 15 yards downfield. It was an effort you would expect from a team that just found out they were eliminated from playoff contention a day prior. 

But this isn’t about the Cleveland Browns. And outside of one game, it never really has been when they’re facing off with Ben Roethlisberger. Ever since they passed on him in the draft in 2004, they have endured years of AFC North poverty, mostly due to Big Ben’s divisional dominance. And although the Steelers won’t win the division this season, they still do have a slim chance of making the postseason. They will need to defeat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, and hope for a miracle. 

A miracle that would include the Jacksonville Jaguars defeating the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts opened as a 15.5 point favorite in the contest next Sunday. However, i'll provide you with some hope: the two teams met earlier this season in Indianapolis, and the Colts snuck out a 23-17 win. The Jaguars also beat the Bills at home this season. 

So much like the motto for 18 years with Ben Roethlisberger under center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, you can’t count them out just yet.

It’s not over for 7 and the Steelers. But if the lasting memory of Ben is him beating the Browns and taking a victory lap at the place he built, Heinz Field - that would be fitting.