“I think we still have a pulse in this thing. We’ll see where it goes from here.” — Ben, after the game.

Ben ran for his first touchdown in three years, Chris Boswell kicked four field goals and the Pittsburgh Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive with the win over Tennessee.

Congratulations are in order!

Big Ben moved into fifth all-time in overall passing yards in NFL History with a pass to rookie Najee Harris, passing Philip Rivers (63.440 passing yards).

“I thought I broke the Heinz all time rushing record.” — Ben, when asked what he was reflecting on after the rushing touchdown.

My Guy! Appreciate ya for believing in me 💯 #QB1 pic.twitter.com/Ybb3zPikgQ

— Diontae Johnson (@Juiceup__3) December 19, 2021

“It had the feel of a playoff game, physically, emotionally, the fans, everything.” — Ben.

Matt Freed @mattfreedpghpg
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gives away his game gloves after defeating the Titans Sunday at Heinz Field.

You can watch Ben’s post-game presser here.

Respect 🤝 pic.twitter.com/EvhhJLoqLK

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 19, 2021

Enjoy your Christmas week, Steelers Nation!

…with his latest photographs of #7 at work!

“Images from Steelers practice today on the South Side. Big Ben was back and appeared rested in a great mood.” — Ed.

Thank you Ed!!

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

Needing a run: Ben Roethlisberger smiled as he stepped to the mic on Wednesday to talk with the media and when asked how he felt after a few days off, he said ‘okay.’

A few days earlier, though, okay might not have been the answer. Roethlisberger was sacked five times against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night, and was hit several more times.

“It’s been a while since I have felt like that on the days after a game, but it’s football.”

And not dwelling on things, or looking ahead, is exactly what Roethlisberger knows this team has to do. He was asked about his future, about thinking how his career could possibly end when it comes to that.

That wasn’t something even on his mind. With four games remaining on the schedule, and the AFC North far from decided, there is no time like the present for the Steelers to make their move.

“I’m living right here, right now and we’ve got to make a run. We’ve got to play good football. We’ve got play great football and that starts with me. I can’t get caught looking at the end because I need to focus on right here and this week.”

Roethlisberger on his record for most sacked QB of all time. "(It means) that I've played a long time and that I held the ball too long."

— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) December 15, 2021

In addition to Roethlisberger, a key factor on offense will be the running game and what Najee Harris can do the last four games. Roethlisberger said he talked with him late in the Vikings game and was proud of the way he finished, showing the heart that is needed when everything is on the line.

“I think you have to look at guys sometimes and look in their eyes and see what they have. And the crazy thing about this game, this sport, is you can look at guys and you could feel the guys have all the heart in the world and they have all the passion, they want it and they’re going to give you everything they have. And sometimes the other teams just better or the other team makes a play, and you don’t. It doesn’t mean just because you’re losing a football game, […]

From Bob Labriola’s “Asked & Answered” column this morning…

LUCAS SCHRADER FROM PORTLAND, OR: Do you think that Ben Roethlisberger’s performance in the second half of last Thursday’s game in Minnesota will quiet the fans’ calls for seeing someone other than him under center? Didn’t it seem like many of his passes were just punched into tight windows with precision like we haven’t seen in some time?

BOB LABRIOLA: I cannot speak for Steelers fans who seem to be more interested in moving on from Ben Roethlisberger than they are in enjoying what could turn out to be the final games of his Hall of Fame career. I think Roethlisberger has played great overall this season, and it should be understood what he’s doing is happening behind a young and inexperienced line, with a rookie running back, with equally young and inexperienced receivers, and with an offensive coordinator in his first year on the job at the NFL level. And in crunch time, Roethlisberger has been one of the best in the league, as his status as the No. 7 fourth-quarter passer (107.0 rating) in the NFL this season suggests.


You can read the rest of Mr. Labriola’s column here.

…and NOT just because we have no Steelers game to watch today!


Frank Neri @nerometer
@MicahTylerMusic @_BigBen7 The #Different tshirt travelled from Pittsburgh PA to Melbourne Australia Flag of Australia. I’m privileged to make a difference to those in need all the way from down under.

“I’m so blessed to have received mine and help an amazing cause!” — Kevin Thomsen.

anna @annajc16 (from Nov 20)
I had to support @_BigBen7 in hopes he’d be cleared to play! #HereWeGo


Prayers4AJCucksey @PrayersforAJ
Glad to support @MicahTylerMusic and @_BigBen7 #Different because we are DIFFERENT!!

“I got mine and I love it and has an amazing cause!” — Dani Marie.

Brogan’s Steelers Page @BurghBreakdown
North bound to Minneapolis ready to watch the @steelers. Got my “Different” shirt on rocking @_BigBen7 and @MicahTylerMusic. “Renegade” is also playing in the background! #HereWeGo #Steelers

“#DIFFERENT” — Liz Anders.

.@_BigBen7 wearing his #Differenttshirt at today’s @steelers press conference! Every shirt sold = 2 meals @lightoflife Thanks Ben & .@MicahTylerMusic #homeless #pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/Qn8ph7s7Tp

— Light of Life (@lightoflife) December 7, 2021

It all started with a video message from Big Ben and Christian musician, Micah Tyler on September 24th:

I am so honored to team up with ‘Big Ben’ Roethlisberger to tackle a great cause!
 
When Ben wore my ‘Different’ shirt to training camp a few weeks ago and it caused so much attention, we knew we should take the opportunity to shine a light on something way bigger than a T-shirt. Honored to partner with Light of Life Rescue Mission, who has been on the ground making a huge difference in the lives of homeless citizens in Pittsburgh for a years.
 
For every shirt we sell, two meals are being donated to Light of Life Rescue Mission! — Micah Tyler.

You can […]

“The greatest compliment I can give a quarterback is I’ll turn the television on when I know you’re playing. That’s Ben Roethlisberger.” — Terry Bradshaw, after the game.

Ben’s post-game interview – and yes, I know that’s not Ben in the image shown, but trust me on this…



The positives from this game, from Bob Labriola’s “What went right, wrong at Vikings” recap:

10:43 p.m. – What Went Right: The Steelers got on the scoreboard when a 3-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Najee Harris capped a 10-play, 75 yard drive. Harris rushed for 19 yards on three carries in addition to the touchdown catch, and James Washington made a combat catch for 29 yards over Kris Boyd, who later drew a taunting penalty that gifted the Steelers another 15 yards.

10:55 p.m. – What Went Right: The Steelers scored a second touchdown on a seven-play, 42-yard drive capped by another Najee Harris touchdown, this one a 1-yard run that made it 29-14 with 14:49 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Steelers got the ball back quickly after their first touchdown when Ahkello Witherspoon intercepted a Kirk Cousins pass on the first play after the Vikings received the kickoff following Harris’ first touchdown. Chase Claypool make an important combat catch for 11 yards to convert a third-and-4, and the Steelers also were helped by a pass interference penalty on Cameron Dantzler that put the ball at the 1-yard line.

11:06 p.m. – What Went Right: The Steelers scored a third touchdown in a five-minute span on a 30-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger to James Washington with 12:11 left in the fourth quarter that made it 29-20 following a failed 2-point conversion attempt. The defense set things up with a three-and-out sealed when Minkah Fitzpatrick broke up a third-down pass for Justin Jefferson. The third touchdown capped a three-play, 69-yard drive, with the big play being a 37-yard hookup with Diontae Johnson.

11:24 p.m. – What Went Right: Ahkello Witherspoon’s second interception of the game and his 41-yard return gave the Steelers the ball at the Vikings 21-yard line. After a 6-yard completion to Ray-Ray McCloud, Ben Roethlisberger found Pat Freiermuth for the touchdown. Then a 2-point conversion pass to Diontae Johnson brought the Steelers to 36-28 with 4:14 left in […]