Roethlisbeger to play this week in Baltimore?

**Benny8444** · 11-26-2012, 10:03 AM

I did not see anything posted and saw this report on NFL.com

It would surprise me if he played since he has not thrown a football since the injury and since his shoulder is still and issue and his ribs still causing pain (but healed to the point where there is no risk for a major damage) how effective can he play if he does?

I dont think he will be able to throw the ball yet alone make a strong throwing motion because of the rib and shoulder and the shoulder is not even healed.

What does everyone think?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...steelersravens

**Paintballguy** · 11-26-2012, 10:09 AM

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/11...r-ravens-game/

**nickh0801** · 11-26-2012, 10:10 AM

I think he will play to keep the media gushing about how tough he is and what a comeback it is for him. This whole week will be nothing but will he or won't he play up until game time. It will be heroic if they somehow win with him, but stupid if they lose. Typical week for Ben related news.

**GOTA** · 11-26-2012, 10:12 AM

Considering how terrible the other options the Steelers have at the position are they are going to play Ben even if he is well under 100%. The Steelers have no shot with Batch. This is a must win game for them. A 3 game losing streak could doom their playoff chances

**NCRAVEN** · 11-26-2012, 10:13 AM

If he's healed, great. If he's not 100% he's a total and complete fucking idiot.

I think we can win either way, obviously it's easier without him.

**Shambla** · 11-26-2012, 10:19 AM

I really thought they could hold the line and just play for a wildcard spot considering how they played during his suspension. I watched all of the game yesterday and wow that offense is bad. This could be a must win game. I think the Colts are looking good for that first wild card and Cincinnati is picking it up.

**Corey** · 11-26-2012, 10:20 AM

The Steelers are looking a 3 game losing streak in the face with their wild card spot slipping a way. If Ben is out of the woods, he'll play. I don't know how well because he's got multiple injuries to that throwing arm.

**Bhcforlife** · 11-26-2012, 10:21 AM

I've gone back and forth on this but I think he plays if he's cleared.

My first thought was that with their division hopes all but gone at this point, they could give him another week of rest then beat up on the weak remaining schedule to get in as a wild card at 10-6, but this is a rivalry game. He's going to play if he is told he can, whether he's effective or not is another story...he will still be more effective than Charlie Batch or Brian Hoyer.

**bensmotorcyclehelmt** · 11-26-2012, 10:58 AM

I don't know.
If the injury is as serious as they say, 75% is dangerous to play with. That's a heckuva risk for Ben's career and the franchise.

Truthfully, I like the Ravens either way. Especially the way the pass rush is humming these days.

Ben or Batch, and I like the Raven's chances.

**bt12483** · 11-26-2012, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by bensmotorcyclehelmt

I don't know.
If the injury is as serious as they say, 75% is dangerous to play with. That's a heckuva risk for Ben's career and the franchise.

Truthfully, I like the Ravens either way. Especially the way the pass rush is humming these days.

Ben or Batch, and I like the Raven's chances.

2 weeks ago all you heard was how if someone sneezed on his rib he would die.

Now he is supposedly trying to play. Typical Pig Jen drama queen BS.

He won't be 100% regardless, and really doesn't scare me too much.

Our Ravens are building more and more confidence with each tough win, our defense has looked much better even since Pees went upstairs, and the Steelers don't really scare me regardless.

Only way we lose is by unfortunate turnovers.

**Benny8444** · 11-26-2012, 11:08 AM

I agree, but they said the shoulder injury is to the point where it is not life threatening anymore if he were to get it. But it is still not healed nor is his shoulder near healed.

THe only thing that is safe is the fact that his rib is not at a point where it would hit his heart if moved the wrong way. He is still "injured" and probably cant throw the ball well but still better than anything they have.

If Leftwhich were healthy he would be the best they have AT THIS POINT but right now a 50% ben is the best they have but if that shoulder gets hurt again or his rib goes back to that bad spot they are right back where they were before and there season will be over.

If they were smart they wont risk playing him well to soon (they did with troy P and look what happened) and have him rest 1 more week for a wild card shot

**Benny8444** · 11-26-2012, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by bt12483

2 weeks ago all you heard was how if someone sneezed on his rib he would die.

Now he is supposedly trying to play. Typical Pig Jen drama queen BS.

He won't be 100% regardless, and really doesn't scare me too much.

Our Ravens are building more and more confidence with each tough win, our defense has looked much better even since Pees went upstairs, and the Steelers don't really scare me regardless.

Only way we lose is by unfortunate turnovers.

I 100% agree, if Ben were healthy or 100% it would be a typical Ravens vs Steelers game. They don't scare me on offense with ben how he is nor does their defense really. Their pass rush is not the same and they can be ran on.

only way we lose is if we have 3+ turnovers on our side of the field or return TDs (INT, Fubmle, Kickoff, Punt)

**trailhiker85** · 11-26-2012, 11:12 AM

No idea if Ben will play, but if I'm Tomlin I sit him for at least another week.

Consider: even if the Steelers lose to the Ravens, they're in good shape for a wild card spot. In truth, their December game against Cincy is likely to be more important (to them) than the one against the Ravens. If Pittsburgh beats Cincy they'll pretty much lock up 2nd place in the AFCN. I'm convinced 10-6 will get them a wild card, and maybe even 9-7. Apart from Indy and Cincy, the AFC wild card "contestants" look pretty weak. Why bring back Ben too soon when their chance at a division title is so slim? They should be thinking strategically.

But that's just me. Maybe they'll play Ben after all Sunday. And then if we beat them again Steeler fans will be calling for Tomlin's head.

**Stone** · 11-26-2012, 11:22 AM

I hope he does play. Regardless if does or doesn't, naysayers will blame his performance on the injury. We're at home and can beat them either way; so Ben can tape himself up and bring it on!

**bt12483** · 11-26-2012, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by trailhiker85

...Consider: even if the Steelers lose to the Ravens, they're in good shape for a wild card spot. In truth, their December game against Cincy is likely to be more important (to them) than the one against the Ravens. ...They should be thinking strategically...

I agree. They still have 2 AFCN games to play after our next game against them.

IMO, they need to be looking long term - wild card/end of season playoff potential as best case scenario. That - or rushing their QB back just because of a rivalry?

After seeing us sack Rivers all day yesterday, and the Steelers having a similar porous OL, they have to be concerned about Ben getting blown up and further injured.

Win but at what cost? It's not like we are not going to go after him if he plays. If he plays he is getting hit.

**The Excellector** · 11-26-2012, 11:39 AM

I am torn between GOTA's thought and Trailhiker85's thought on the matter. If they want any shot at making the playoffs, Ben needs to go. It really needs to be all hands on deck for this game. They are already in a bad spot, because all five of their losses are in-conference. They'll lose any wildcard tiebreaker out there. On the other hand, the other wildcard contenders look so weak, that their game against the Bengals might be even more important. Then again, who knows what the Bengals will do going forward?

**trailhiker85** · 11-26-2012, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

I am torn between GOTA's thought and Trailhiker85's thought on the matter. If they want any shot at making the playoffs, Ben needs to go. It really needs to be all hands on deck for this game. They are already in a bad spot, because all five of their losses are in-conference. They'll lose any wildcard tiebreaker out there. On the other hand, the other wildcard contenders look so weak, that their game against the Bengals might be even more important. Then again, who knows what the Bengals will do going forward?

Granted the Steelers' tiebreaker situation will be bad, but that's only an issue if they're tied with another Conference contender from a win-loss standpoint. Looking at the teams "in the hunt" (apart from the division leaders), Indy and Cincy are the only ones I'd say have a good shot at finishing over .500. As for the others ...SD is in a death spiral, Miami has a tough schedule (SF plus NE twice), and the NY Jesters ...well, even if you can manage to take them seriously, that's the one team the Steelers DO have a tiebreaker over by virtue of beating them earlier this year. Then there's the Titans, but they still have Houston and Green Bay on their schedule.

Looking at all this, I'd say the Steelers' single biggest remaining game is against Cincy at the Ketchup Bowl. I could easily envision Pitt getting No. 6 seed with a 9-7 record provided they were to beat Cincy.

**Boulderraven** · 11-26-2012, 12:05 PM

Bet they wait to see what the Bengals do in the early game. Doubt he plays, but sure hope he does behind that awful and now even more injured oline.

**pslholder96** · 11-26-2012, 12:06 PM

IF the doctors medically clear him to play then Ben is fair game. I take more satisfaction in beating the steelers with Ben under center.

**Yards** · 11-26-2012, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

IF the fair game. I take more satisfaction in beating the steelers with Ben under center.

Me too. However I think the steelers woul be idiots to play him unless he is 100 percent. Their line is a mess, and really at this point they are playing for a wildcard, which is well in their reach. Get Ben healthy and they are a very dangerous wildcard team.