‘Ben being Ben’
From Bob Labriola, Steelers.com:
I believe the clinical term for what we saw Sunday afternoon inside M&T Bank Stadium has been categorized officially by the scientific community, and in the future forever will be known as “Ben being Ben.” And if it hasn’t, well, it should be. After all, there are 18 years of evidence proving its existence.
“Ben being Ben” has taken on many forms since first being observed sometime after 2004 in its natural habitat of an NFL stadium during the fall and/or winter seasons. And while some of the specifics might differ, a true sighting of “Ben being Ben” always includes these two elements: the Steelers win a football game, most usually in a come-from-behind fashion, and Ben Roethlisberger has his fingerprints all over that outcome.
It was fitting that M&T Bank Stadium served as the most recent venue for this recurring phenomenon, being that a decent number of the previous occurrences had taken place on that exact plot of real estate, and it was appropriate the Ravens chose to host former Steelers antagonist Terrell Suggs for the occasion since he had been an active participant in so many of them.
“Ben being Ben” must have stakes, and that was handled sufficiently by the fact Sunday’s loser would be eliminated from the playoffs, and then Mother Nature cooperated with a day that was cold, windy, and damp, not that Steelers-Ravens ever really needs anything more than purple vs. black-and-gold.
Late in the third quarter, the Ravens seemed content to continue to probe the Steelers run defense. They moved from their 25-yard line to a second-and-6 at the Steelers 11-yard line all via running plays. But instead of sticking with what was working, the Ravens’ play-caller decided it was time to pass. Tyler Huntley followed orders, but he delivered a floater late over the middle and into the end zone. Cam Sutton intercepted for the touchback.
Maybe it was the defensive call that enticed Huntley to think he saw one thing when the reality was something totally different. But that’s life in the NFL for an inexperienced quarterback.
Asked about it after the game, Coach John. Harbaugh said, “We could have run the ball there.”
But the Ravens didn’t, and that set the stage for “Ben being Ben” with Baltimore holding a 10-6 lead early in the fourth quarter instead of the Steelers looking […]
Hey Steelers Nation
Week 18: Steelers 16, Ravens 13
“We just like to stress people out early. All you guys and all our fans at home…and I hope the NFL gives TJ Watt half a sack.” — Ben.
Roethlisberger now trails only Tom Brady, who has 67 career game-winning drives.”
The Steelers still need one more thing to happen to clinch one of the AFC’s final playoff spots. The Los Angeles Chargers-Las Vegas Raiders game on Sunday Night Football can’t end in a tie.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers on a fourth-quarter drive to take a 13-10 lead, when he hit Chase Claypool for a six-yard touchdown.
The defense was able to contain the Ravens, but a Justin Tucker 46-yard field goal tied the game, 13-13.
Roethlisberger and company got the ball back with 1:13 to play but came up one yard short on third-and-four, forcing a punt. The defense held, sending the game into overtime.
The Ravens won the overtime toss, but the defense was able to shut them down, giving Roethlisberger one final shot.
Roethlisberger led the offense down the field, setting up a Chris Boswell 36-yard field goal to win the game, 16-13.
“I’m so thankful for this rivalry. People always ask me where is my least favorite place to come and play? It’s always Baltimore. It’s because of how good the team is and it’s defense. And this place is always crazy loud. The fans are ruthless, and I mean that in a good way. So, it’s pretty special to get this win…it’s just good old fashioned football.” — Ben.
Roethlisberger finished […]
The best & quickest way
"If I tried to put it into words, I would say 'I love you.' I would say 'thank you.' I feel so blessed. It's just an honor for them to call me their QB for 18 years."
Ben Roethlisberger shares his message to @steelers fans with @CowherCBS. pic.twitter.com/XXjSUnVNDx
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 9, 2022
One of the greatest rivalries…with the most respect
“For me, [I’ll always remember] all that he’s taken from me. Twice in my career, he’s prevented me from going to the Super Bowl. People always believe that when I left the Ravens and went to the AFC East it was the Patriots I hated. No, even as a Jet, he stopped me from going to the Super Bowl. I went to three AFC championships in a row and he stopped me from going to the Super Bowl in two of them – once as a Raven and once as a Jet. So I genuinely do hate him. But that’s the greatest sign of respect. I only hate him because of how he played and what he took from me. Ben, I hate you. I’m glad you’re done.” — Bart Scott.
From Ryan Mink, at the Baltimore Ravens official website:
A war that lasted nearly two decades will reach an armistice Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in what’s expected to be Roethlisberger’s final game. Past and present Ravens shared memories and bid farewell to Baltimore’s greatest enemy.
S Ed Reed –
“The dude was just a competitor, one of those ultimate competitors. Big Ben always gave them a chance. Congrats on a great career and good luck after football. See ya in Canton.”
LB Jarret Johnson –
“What always stood out about Ben was how different he was from any other QB in the game. He was built like a pocket passer but played like a mobile QB. He could extend plays and seemed more accurate on the move. The more the play broke down, the better he was.
“Ben, you were the perfect opponent! Big, strong and tough. Built to play in the AFC North.”
LB Adalius Thomas –
“Playing against Ben was always a challenge. He was hard to sack because he’s as big as a linebacker and tough. We tested his chin several times and he got up each time.”
LB Bart Scott –
“The greatest thing I could say about Ben Roethlisberger is that he played like a Raven. That’s something rare to say about an opponent, but Ben Roethlisberger would have been a great Raven.
“He was a guy that was always a willing brawler – twisted noses, broken bones. He’s the Michael Myers of football. It’s almost hard for me to believe that this could be his last […]