The Steelers won their last game of the regular season, but sadly, did not make the playoffs.

“I’m trying not to reflect right now, but it’s hard not to. But I think the biggest thing, I just got done seeing my linemen, so I think pride in my guys, pride in guys that stepped up today that had to move around in different positions…like James Washington! His big catch along the sideline – the big play that he had – was the exact same call that he missed in Denver. The exact same call. We’re standing on the sideline with Randy Fichtner and he said, ‘Who do you want, JuJu or James?’, and I said, ‘I want James.’ He came in the huddle and I said, ‘Hey, we’re going to do the same play we did in Denver and I want you to make the play’. And he did! And to me that’s just…I’m so proud of him!” — Ben, during his post-game press conference.

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

The Steelers did what they needed to do on Sunday, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, 16-13, at Heinz Field.

After the Steelers won, Heinz Field remained packed, including players from both teams on the field watching the end of the Browns-Ravens game on the scoreboard, an emotional rollercoaster of big plays by the Browns at the end but it wouldn’t be enough as a Baker Mayfield interception on fourth down ended it all.

Ben Roethlisberger, who finished the season with 5,129 passing yards and became just the seventh quarterback in NFL history to record 5,000 passing yards in a season, was disappointed after the game but also had pride in the job his teammates did.

The defense was dominant all day, holding Bengals quarterback Jeff Driskel to just 95 yards passing and sacking him four times, while allowing just 125 yards on the ground, most of that coming in a 51-yard run by Joe Mixon.

Matt McCrane, who was signed on Friday after Chris Boswell was placed on injured reserve, hit three field goals, including the game-winner from 35 yards out.


You can read Ms. Varley’s full recap of the game here.


Now Ben doesn’t like me to post about his personal milestones, but I’m doing it anyway:

…with Christmas wishes for Ben and his family from across the Nation and around the World!

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ❤️ n best wishes from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.” — Lynn Leckie.

Merry Christmas to your cute kids from Brazil!” — Isadora Bastos.

“God Bless you and your beautiful family. Thank you for sharing those special moments in your life with us. We love watching you lead your team. Go Steelers from Sea Isle City, NJ!” — Donna Gibson.

“Thank you for sharing your beautiful family! Merry Christmas from Winnipeg, Canada!” — Rachel Moore.

“Merry Christmas Big Ben and family, from your biggest fan from North Dakota!” — Jesse Bohara.

“Good looking family Ben. I’m from Pittsburgh, but I live in Santa Monica. I wish you the best on Sunday. I support you guys 100 percent! God bless! — Diane Landau.

“Merry Christmas, A Hug for you and your family, from MONTERREY, Mexico.” — Carlos De La Garza.

“Beautiful family! Continue to be blessed, from South Florida.” — Teri Harris Reid.

How was your Christmas? It was pretty Steelerific for these fans, even the youngest ones:



Bakedbykatie @Godsgirl227
@_BigBen7 This little guy is 5 months old and already knows what he likes, and he likes Big Ben!!!



ColonelAngus @JackFlash72
Replying to @_BigBen7 @JamesConner_ Same helmet as Ben Jr. different jersey tho…😂


Porkroll King @JasonDow
This guys wants to be a future @steelers so bad, this is his @_BigBen7 uniform and he said now he wants an @AB84 and @JamesConner_ lol not bad for a 5 year old #HereWeGo



Jenny Sydenstricker @JennySydenstric
@_BigBen7 we got your back. Let’s go!!



David Obregon @Djobregon
Replying to @_BigBen7 @JamesConner_ Getting the next generation ready!



Heather L Hagenmaier @Heather_Lynn25
Hey @_BigBen7 my Grandpa says I’m a Steelers fan what do you think?!



Sarah Moen @moensarah
Replying to @_BigBen7 @JamesConner_ We had a similar request in this house.


Amanda Rose @artoodeee2
@_BigBen7 […]

“I have every intention of playing next year. But I don’t want to even think about next season until this season is over.” — Ben.

Ben’s show was moved to this morning at 11am because tomorrow is Christmas Day. Recap provided by 93.7 The Fan:

The Steelers season could be shortened after a 31-28 loss in New Orleans on Sunday – which could mean no playoffs as they now are on the outside looking in. But Ben is not counting out a Christmas Miracle.

He thought one might come at the end of the game yesterday when they were driving down the field late.

“You love having the ball in your hands trying to win a football game. It’s unfortunate how it ended but proud of the way the guys fought to the end.”

The way it ended was a fumble from Juju Smith-Schuster that ended any chance the Steelers had for a miracle come from behind win on the last drive, Ben shared some of the things he discussed with JuJu after the game saying if he plays this game long enough he will have many more chances of making winning plays and some more disappointments.

“I told him I was proud of him. He is one of the main reasons we had a chance to win that game…I was heartbroken for him.”

The loss really hurts the Steelers chances of making the playoffs….They will need a win and help. But Ben is not giving up hope.

“We have to take care of our own business. Nothing happens for us if we don’t win on Sunday.”

It also doesn’t mean the Steelers are in the playoffs by just winning either…they will need help and it must come form the Cleveland Browns who will need to beat Baltimore or a Steelers win and Tennessee/ Indianapolis tie.

Both games have been flexed by the league to 4:25 pm, but that doesn’t mean the Steelers players won’t see what is going on the scoreboard.

“We’ve been here before. We have had situations where we need a team to win, need a team to lose things like that so you’re gonna have people cheering and booing whatever it is so it’s gonna be hard not to at least see or know what is going on or hear it but, […]

“The story’s not written yet. I told the guys in there, ‘Listen, it’s not over yet. This chapter of the story is not done.’ We don’t control it, but let’s see what happens.” — Ben, during his post-game press conference.

@_BigBen7 just said this story is not written yet and that’s good enough for me

— ☘️DFREELSJR☘️ (@IRISHSTEEL12) December 24, 2018

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

The Steelers will need to win on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field (4:25 p.m. kickoff) and the Cleveland Browns will have to beat the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium for the Steelers to make the postseason.

“We weren’t able to get the necessary stop when we needed it on defense,” said Tomlin. “I chose to go for a fake punt and we were unsuccessful there. I take responsibility for that. I just wanted to be aggressive. I wanted to ensure we had the opportunity to win the game. I thought we had the chance to get it. I thought if we did not stop them we would have the opportunity to have the ball last. Which we did. Unsuccessful nonetheless.”

The loss masked a strong performance by Ben Roethlisberger, who completed 33 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns and Antonio Brown, who had 14 receptions for 185 yards and two yards.


You can read Ms. Varley’s full recap here.

@_BigBen7
Hey, You just played lights out. Thank you for being our Quarterback.

— Mark (@Mark_823) December 24, 2018

From Jeremy Fowler, ESPN.com:

The Steelers would be dangerous in these playoffs. But a Week 1 tie in Cleveland and a Week 14 loss in Oakland probably put their playoff hopes to bed. Now they need Baker Mayfield’s magic in a Week 17 game at Baltimore to force the Ravens into relinquishing the divisional lead.

The game won’t be without controversy. In a game this close, the image of Joe Haden gently patting Alvin Kamara on the back in coverage of a first-quarter pass that neither had a chance at catching will fume Steelers fans for days. Haden’s penalty, a highly questionable call at best, turned a would-be stop on fourth-and-2 into […]

Today, Ben announced the ninth grant award of the 2018 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.

His Foundation will be distributing a grant to the Kenner Police Department, west of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome where the Steelers will play the New Orleans Saints this Sunday, December 23th.

The Kenner Police Department plans to use the funds to purchase much needed training and safety equipment for their three-dog K-9 unit.

“With this generous grant, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will significantly assist and enhance the Kenner Police K-9 Unit’s ability in helping investigate and solve crimes while saving lives and making the City of Kenner a great place to live, work, and raise families. The Kenner Police Department appreciates and salutes the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation with its generous support of our two-legged and four-legged K-9 Officers who are invaluable in protecting our every day.” — Kenner Chief of Police Michael J. Glaser.

In commenting on why the mission of the foundation is so important to him, Roethlisberger said, “We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.”

Fans of The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation can support future K-9 grants by purchasing candy on Sarris Candies’ website, (www.SarrisCandiesFundraising.com), using a special purchase code (77-7777). Sarris will donate 25 percent of the purchase price to Ben’s foundation.

You can also donate directly here.


If you’d like more information about the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation you can check out his foundation page here. For more detailed information, please contact Jessica Duffaut at www.givingback.org.