5 reasons Steelers can win the Super Bowl this year

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 25: Ben Roethlisberger (7) of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a pre-snap adjustment against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ 24-17 win on Sunday, November 25, 2018. The Denver Broncos hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

1. Ben comes up bigger

The overall resume is impressive. Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was the 11th overall pick in 2004 by a franchise coming off a disappointing 6-10 campaign. He was thrust into a game in Week 2 during his rookie campaign when starter Tommy Maddox was injured and he certainly took his lumps. But for the most part, it’s been quite the ride ever since.

He made his first start in Week 3 of ’04 and that year, the team finished 15-1 and reached the AFC title game. A year later, he spearheaded an amazing postseason run as the Steelers became the first team to win three road playoff games and the Super Bowl (XL). There was another title in ’08 and another trip to the “Big Game” in 2010.

The career resume reads 216 games (214 starts), 363 touchdown passes (7th in NFL history) and 56,194 passing yards, sixth all-time. He’s also been sacked 501 times in 15 seasons and is closing in on the record of 525 owned by Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre (since the NFL began tracking the statistic in 1963).

So what happened this past year? For the second time in five seasons, the six-time Pro Bowler either led (2018) or tied for the league lead in passing yards. But Roethlisberger also served up an NFL-high 16 interceptions. He also lost a pair of fumbles, adding up to 18 of the club’s 26 turnovers.

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The Steelers have a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball in 2019. It’s a pivotal year for the club as they look to rebound from last season’s late fade. That means a steady year and a much more consistent performance from the leader of the football team.

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