In Hindsight Big Ben Probably Shouldn't Have Played

The Steelers got crushed by the 49ers yesterday squashing a chance at getting ahead of the Ravens and for getting the number 1 seed for the bye, but it looks like the Patriots will have the 1 sewn up and Ravens will get the 2 due to the Pittsburgh tie breaker.

Watching the game was painful to me, Ben was really hurt. He couldn't move in the pocket or extend the play and every time he received a snap he was getting hit to the ground. And because he was unable to step into the throw he made mistakes and those were 3 picks. 1 of them went threw Heath Millers hands and 2 of them were under thrown balls to Mike Wallace.

The question now is should he have played? He's a tough bastard and there is no doubt about that. He got up after getting knocked to the ground which seemed like 100 times. But with the short week and having to play Saturday is this going to extend the injury into the playoffs and ultimately sack them for what the real goal is, a Superbowl? I personally don't think so, and I would have still went with him because it was a big game and I trust Ben on one leg more than I trust Charlie Batch or Dennis Dixon. But now that we can't get the 1st bye, barring a Ravens collapse and another Patriots loss, I would probably get Batch in there against the Rams.

Did You Guys Watch That Legendary Performance By Ben Roethlisberger Last Night?

He won't win the MVP or the player of the year award, but Ben Roethlisberger is the toughest son of a bitch in the NFL and last night he put on an epic performance.

If you watched the game, in the first half he looked like he had his leg broken, he was scrambling around in the pocket and a defender landed on it and it turned 90 degrees. He had to limp off the field and be brought to the locker room via cart. He already is playing with a broken thumb and a sprained foot. Before the injury he was 8-of-9 for 102 yards and one touchdown.

The X Rays came back negative and he had a severe high ankle sprain. Many people miss 2-4 weeks with that injury, ask Adrian Peterson or Raven's CB Jimmy Smith. After the injury he was 8-of-12 for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Including a 78 yard pass to Antonio Brown. The Steelers now have hands down the best 1-2 punch in wide receivers this year with Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown whom they both drafted in the 3rd round or after.

Ben Roethlisberger has led another team to a 10-3 season this far with getting sacked the most in the NFL (yes, some of those are his own fault) and looking to bring the most successful franchise to another Super Bowl and his 4th trip.

Around The NFL: Big Ben and Pittsburgh With Another Dominant Week

35 Pittsburgh, 7 Cincinnati
This game was over before it started, Big Ben put out another legendary performance with throwing 2 more TDs with a broken thumb and leading his team to a 9-3 record. Rashard Mendenhall now has more TD's than Franco Harris did in his first 3 years. The Steelers are clearly the best team in the AFC.

38 Packers, 35 Giants
Aaron Rodgers finally won a close game when the pressure was on with a masterful performance. Rodgers completed passes of 24, 27 and 18 yards in a lightning-quick five-play drive to set up a 31-yard field goal by Mason Crosby on the final play. Tom Coughlin must want to get a gun and shoot his secondary because their play was pathetic, and the Giants late season collapse is still on as they finish 6-6.

35 Broncos, 32 Minnesota
God! Stop It! Stop making Tim Tebow Win! Tim Tebow is the bane of my existence all he does is win and it's fucking annoying. Although his schedule isn't hard I can't knock Tebow's 6-1 record as a starter. I just really need a team to beat him and end this all.

19 Cardinals, 13 Cowboys
Jason Garrett has cost his team another vicory with his timidness as a coach. Maybe you can push some of that blame on Jerry Jones, but the last 30 seconds of this game is out of control. He had his kicker kick a 49 yard field goal(and freeze him) when they had a chance to get the ball a little closer. This is the 2nd time Garrett has cost the team a victory this year with the 1st being against the Pats.

34 New York Jets, 19 Redskins
This game was a lot closer until the end and Mark Sanchez played a hell of a game. Know what I think? Mark Sanchez is a better QB than Matt Ryan. I'd take Sanchez over Matty Ice any day. The Jets are 7-5 and a game out of the playoffs.

28 Panthers, 19 Bucs
Cam Newton may have a 4-8 record but should be the Rookie Of The Year. I like what Andy Dalton has done, but Newton is just oo good to be denied that. Yesterday he threw for 201 yards and a TD and rushed for 3 more. He set the rookie record for rushing TDs with 13 and has 26 TDs on the year.

17 Texans, 10 Falcons
The Falcons and Matt Ryan were beat by a team that is starting a 3rd string qb and lost their best WR again. He sucks.

10 KC, 3 Bears
Caleb Hanie blows and they most likely lost Matt Forte for the year with a sprained MCL. Bears are doomed and they should be calling McNabb or hell, just starting anyone else.

34 Miami, 14 Raiders
The Dolphins may be the best 4-8 team in the history of the NFL, Reggie Bush and Matt Moore have been playing extremely well. I don't think a lot of teams want to be playing the Dolphins for the rest of the year. The Raiders meanwhile have been overthrown by Saint Tebow for that AFC West wildcard.

31 New Orleans, 17 Detroit
Drew Brees is playing out of control and will easily beat Dan Marino's passing record this year. The guy is money and got 3 more TDs last night. They might be playing better than the Packers these couple of weeks.