Can the Steelers make the playoffs without Big Ben?
Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will miss the remainder of the 2019 season. Can Mike Tomlin’s team make the playoffs without him?
The news came down late Monday morning and it was hardly a surprise when you saw the veteran signal-caller in the second quarter on Sunday vs. the Seattle Seahawks. Something was not quite right with Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. And now the 16-year pro will undergo elbow surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
In his place on Sunday was second-year pro Mason Rudolph. He overcame an early deflected interception and hit on 12 of his 19 passes for 112 yards and a pair of touchdown passes, both to tight end Vance McDonald. But Mike Tomlin’s team wound up on the short end of a 28-26 score.
So can Tomlin’s team rebound from the franchise’s first 0-2 start since 2013 and get to the postseason? It’s been done six times over the previous four seasons, including twice in 2018. But the Steelers are going to attempt this without the most prolific passer in franchise history. It’s going to take quite the team effort and this is a never-say-never league.
It may also take a commitment to power football and the ground game. Dating back to Week 11 of 2018, the Steelers are 3-6 in their last nine contests. In seven of those games, the club has run the football less than 20 times. Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner may have to alter the game plan. And perhaps a little more ball control could help a defense that looks overwhelmed at the moment.
If this club is to make the postseason a reality, the next four games could tell the story. After facing the 49ers at San Francisco, Pittsburgh returns home to face the rival Bengals and Ravens – both at Heinz Field. That’s followed by a Sunday night clash with the Chargers at Los Angeles followed by the team’s off-week.
That’s four games with Rudolph (barring injury) as the starter, including two home tilts within the AFC North. If the Steelers can hold serve within the division and knock off either the Niners or Bolts, the team could head into the off week at 3-3. And when they return to the field on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins, it’s the start of a three-game home stand.
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Fortunately for Tomlin’s squad, it hasn’t played a game so far within the AFC North. And just because the team has had tremendous success within the division, this is a whole new ball game for the team without their veteran quarterback. Don’t be surprised if the team changes its style, rebounds and plays well. And also don’t be shocked if the Steelers fall short of the postseason despite finishing above .500 again.