Week 9 QB projections • PIT Stats
QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
HT: 6-5, WT: 241, Born: 3-2-1982, College: Miami (OH), Drafted: Round 1, Pick 11
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Stats and Week 9 Projection
| WK | OPP | RES | CMP | ATT | PYD | Y/A | PTD | INT | RSH | YD | Y/R | TD | FPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | vs CLE | W, 27-14 | 23 | 35 | 417 | 11.9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 1.8 | 0 | 30 |
| 7 | vs MIN | W, 27-17 | 14 | 26 | 175 | 6.7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 14 |
| SEASON TOTAL | 164 | 233 | 2062 | 8.8 | 11 | 6 | 21 | 25 | 1.2 | 2 | 161 | ||
| 9 | at DEN | PROJ | 24 | 34 | 265 | 7.8 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 21 |
Week 9 Injury Status and Other News
He was not listed on Friday's official injury report.Week 9 Matchup Info
at Denver Broncos (Tough matchup) - Ben Roethlisberger and company are currently fifth in the NFL averaging 276 net passing yards per game, with 12 passing TDs to their credit through seven games. Unsurprisingly, Roethlisberger is the fifth-best fantasy QB this year, with 164/233 for 2062 passing yards, 11 TDs and six interceptions thrown (he has also rushed in two TDs, with 21/25/2 to his credit). Roethlisberger was unusually quiet vs. Minnesota, with 14/26 for 175 yards and one TD back in week seven (Mike Wallace led the team with 3/72/1 during that game, while Santonio Holmes was second in receiving with 2/59/0). Maybe Roethlisberger's arm was tired from throwing for 23/35 yielding 417 yards, two TDs and one interception vs. Cleveland the week prior. Anyway, Pittsburgh's passing attack is one of the most prolific in the NFL as of week nine.The Broncos' defense was humbled for 23 offensive points by the Ravens last week - But Joe Flacco was held in check, with just 20/25 for 167 net yards, one TD and zero interceptions to his credit. Philip Rivers had just one TD vs. Denver in week six (20/33 for 238 net yards, one TD and zero interceptions). To date, the Broncoes are eighth in the NFL averaging 180.6 net passing yards allowed per game, with only four pass TDs handed over vs. six interceptions and 23 sacks generated (second in the NFL in this category). This is an outstanding pass defense, friends - even during a bad loss they played well.
Two great units lock up in this one, but the D has home field advantage at their backs - it's going to be a tough fight for the Steelers' offense this week, friends.
Game Summaries
Week 1 vs TEN - If you took Roethlisberger as your backup QB, congratulations. It looks like the Steelers will have most of their success as an offense through the air, especially in the no huddle. Big Ben had a few shaky trademark Big Ben moments, eating the ball instead of throwing it away and costing the team three points, and being off on his timing to Santonio Holmes early in the game on an out, resulting in an interception. His other interception was on the last play on the half trying to make something happen, one that shouldn't be counted too heavily against him. Roethlisberger was doing his usual Houdini act when under pressure, but mostly, the Steelers much-maligned offensive line gave him a lot of time to calmly survey the field and find open receivers. Roethlisberger showed outstanding accuracy on downfield throws, and finished the game with 12 straight completions. He has one of the better starting WR combos in the league, and he should be a starting quality fantasy QB most weeks as long as the Steelers game plan to their strength on offense.Week 2 at CHI - Make no mistake, Roethlisberger played well enough to win, but he could have played better. Big Ben was outstanding on a game-opening 92-yard TD drive, and he seemed to take well to the Steelers new identity as a pass-first team. He calmly rolled out and converted a play-action fake pass to Matt Spaeth on fourth-and-goal to cap the drive, and then started the team down the field again on the next drive before he threw an INT on a deep ball intended for Mike Wallace because he was hit as he threw. Big Ben wasn't quite the same after that, with some erratic accuracy, some drops by Santonio Holmes, and more blitzes from the Bears. He scored on a two-yard bootleg punctuated by a leap over a would-be tackler in the second half, but that score was set up by a long Rashard Mendenhall run. Roethlisberger did make enough plays to get the Steelers in field goal range twice in the fourth quarter, including a great stretch to get a key first down, but he also took a costly sack that added just enough distance to make Jeff Reed miss the first attempt. In his defense, he threw a TD pass to Santonio Holmes, before the second missed attempt, but Holmes let it go through his hands. A performance that solidifies Roethlisberger's fantasy value, even his rep as a clutch QB, but one that surely must feel empty for him.
Week 3 at CIN - Roethlisberger was very effective against Cincinnati. As usual, he was elusive in the pocket and kept plays alive, luring defenders into mistakes so his receivers could take advantage. Long completions to Hines Ward and a touchdown pass to Willie Parker both came on broken plays where Roethlisberger left the pocket and threw off-balance. His long mistake as a passer was critical; a miscommunication with Santonio Holmes resulted in an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Roethlisberger also had his second short yardage touchdown of the year.
Week 4 vs SD - It was another very effective game this week for Big Ben and the Steelers. He ran the offensive efficiently from the get go and this week was able to lean more heavily on a stout running game and many underneath passes. He showed great poise and pocket awareness as usual and essentially had a near flawless game. Big Ben led his team to TD's on the games 1st two drives with a great mix of passes of varying lengths. The first TD was a short screen pass on 3rd down that Mewelde Moore was able to convert into a TD and the 2nd TD was nice short hookup with Heath Miller. If there is any criticism of Ben from this game, it's that he held onto the ball too long a few times and took a few sacks. These brought a couple of drives to halts where they were otherwise moving the ball very effectively. Through 4 games it is becoming clear that Roethlisberger has raised his game again and looks more like the Roethlisberger from 2006 rather than the 2007/2008 versions.
Week 5 at DET - Ben Roethlisberger systematically picked the Detroit Lions apart, finishing yet another contest with a completion rate over 70%. Only one pick six thrown late on an out pass to Mike Wallace kept him from having an outstanding QB rating, but it was still over 120. He was fortunate to have another INT called back due to a roughing the passer penalty, but he also should have had another touchdown to Wallace who dropped what should have been a 71-yard catch and run to the rookie. Roethlisberger found both Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward open well downfield all game, and on the rare occasions where he had to check down it was TE Heath Miller and the two Steeler backs (Mendenhall, Moore) who picked up the slack. Look for Roethlisberger to continue his hot pace next week home against the Browns.
Week 6 vs CLE - Roethlisberger was very effective eluding pressure from the Browns when needed, but generally had good pass protection. He hit receivers in stride that were often wide open in the middle of the Cleveland zone defense after releasing from spread sets and bunch formations. He was accurate in tight windows, but was intercepted on an overthrown pass over the middle and nearly threw a second interception trying to force the ball into coverage in the end zone while being taken down in the pocket.
Week 7 vs MIN - Roethlisberger was more of a game manager than a QB in this contest. The Vikings applied solid pressure up the middle and from the edge, and Big Ben was never able to get his leading receivers into the game. During the first half, both Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes finished with only one reception. It was only Mike Wallace and Heath Miller that saw any real action for most of the game. While Roethlisberger didn't suffer the same fate that Brett Favre did with the interception and the fumble, he was not without his miss-cues. Several incomplete passes could have been picked off and late in the fourth quarter, he had the ball knocked out of his hands but it was kicked out of bounds before it could be recovered. He finished the game with just 14 completions, for 175 yards and a TD. Not the typical numbers we are used to seeing from Big Ben, but good enough for a tough win.
