PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger believes there is some momentum to be gained from the 27 points they scored in the fourth quarter Sunday night.
“There are some encouraging things to be found from that game,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday. “Unfortunately we don’t win, I think we would take a win and crappy offense over a great offense and not winning. There are some things we can grow on.”
Steelers had seven different receivers with multiple receptions at Los Angeles, four had four or more catches.
“I think a lot of people got involved,” Roethlisberger said. “We had a lot of different guys catch touchdowns. We did a little bit of a no-huddle type thing, for the line be able to do that for the first time (is encouraging).”
“Also, when you can answer scores, that’s a big and underrated deal in the NFL. We did that a few times.”
It wasn’t just the ‘no-huddle type thing’ that was new. The jumbo package with Zach Banner and Derek Watt immediately paid dividends with a goal line touchdown run.
“I think we should able to be versatile in a lot of different ways,” Roethlisberger said. “Whether that’s packages-run, pass, looks, groupings. As you move forward in the season & you discuss getting hot and trending in the right direction. That’s one of the ways you do it, is by being able to expand your playbook without getting too out of control and slowing yourself down. Being able to throw different looks at teams.”
They got a different look that they expected when they faced the Bengals in September. Steelers rushed for just 45 yards and Roethlisberger had to throw it 58 times, 19 of those targets as dumps to Najee Harris. They will have to scheme better for on Sunday.
“The last time we played them, their defensive philosophy on 3rd and short was a lot different,” Roethlisberger said. “They would rush three or four and then set everybody right at the sticks. They had quite a few guys hunkering down right where we want to get the 1st down.”
Tomlin play caller
Roethlisberger said they’ve grown as an offense, but believes the Bengals likely have grown as a defense. Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he does get involved in offensive play calling. Ben doesn’t dispute it, but doesn’t have typical communication with his head coach.
“I don’t ever hear him through the headset, but I’m sure he’s in Coach Canada’s ears,” Roethlisberger said. “I’m used to that. I remember when I got here, that chin sticking out (Bill Cowher) to (Ken) Whisenhunt, ‘run the ball’.”
Big game
Roethlisberger said what Tomlin told all of us about how big the game is against Cincinnati, he relayed that to the team on Wednesday. Ravens lead the division at 7-3, Bengals are 6-4, Steelers 5-4-1, Browns 6-5.
“He mentioned it to us in the team meeting,” Roethlisberger said. “We know it though. You see where the AFC is. You see where the AFC North is. They came here & beat us last time. We are coming off a loss, they are coming off a big win. Each game is starting to become more & more important.”
“Globally in the AFC it’s kind of crazy right now. It’s always been about when you get hot, when you turn it on. You can sit there and say we won four or five in a row & then we lost a game.”
“Just because you lose, doesn’t mean you’re still aren’t trending in the right direction. I still think this team is trending in the right direction.”