PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) – As much a rival as a team in the AFC North, the Steelers not only open in New England on Sunday night, but will watch that team celebrate a Steelers-record tying sixth Super Bowl title.
"I think it's cool to be a part of, honestly," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday morning. "You go out there and you watch it. You sit there and try and channel it and say that needs to be us next year. That's the way I look at it."
Roethlisberger's numbers all-time against the Pats are decent based on his career, a completion percentage of 63, 21 touchdowns to nine interceptions with a 95.2 quarterback rating, but a 4-6 record.
"I will get nervous," Roethlisberger added. "It's just as much excited-nervous as just nervous."
"We are going up there. I'm sure they are dropping a banner or doing whatever they are going to do. What an exciting, awesome opportunity for us all."
While the Steelers have never beaten Tom Brady in Foxboro, they did beat the Pats last year. The defense holding Brady to one touchdown and Joe Haden sealed it with a late interception.
Offensively, Jaylen Samuels filled in for the injured James Conner and rushed for 142 yards on only 19 carries and caught a couple of passes for 30 more yards.
Roethlisberger said the Pats defense will double two players during the game and it's a matter of finding out where the matchup favors the offense.
"You're not going to get over on the Patriots twice, that coaching staff is pretty good," Roethlisberger said. "The players are pretty darn good too. We are going to have to figure some new things out."
In Roethlisberger's career, twice the Patriots have beaten him in the AFC title game and New England has won 12 of the last 16 matchups against the Steelers overall.
"It's not fun, they are the best for a reason," Roethlisberger said of playing in Gillette Stadium. "It's not like we've had a problem with them, the league has had a problem with them. They are that dominant. Playing them at home is hard enough; to go to their place is almost impossible."
