Roethlisberger Looks To Extend Streak Against Ravens
Pittsburgh (KDKA/AP) - The Steelers and Ravens will meet again Saturday in the second round of the playoffs.
It will be the third game of the season between the AFC North rivals, and Baltimore's hopes of winning hinge
heavily upon stopping Ben Roethlisberger.
The Steelers quarterback is 8-2 as a starter against Baltimore and has won six straight since 2006.
When asked about his success against the Ravens, Roethlisberger said: "I don't think there's any magic recipe other than I guess I'm lucky, that's all there is."
Coach Mike Tomlin seems to agree.
"I don't read too much into those things," Tomlin said. "Ben has won a lot of games here, period. So, I don't think it's anything that he has over the Baltimore Ravens or anything of that nature."
As a competitor, Roethlisberger loves playing the Ravens, but as a quarterback and player he hates it.
"On defense, every single person and every scheme, everything they do, it challenges you," Roethlisberger said.
The Steelers and Ravens will play for the third time this season with each team winning on the road by a three point margin.
The Ravens beat the Steelers at Heinz Field during Week 4. Charlie Batch was the starting quarterback in the game. The rematch was in Week 13 at M&T Bank Stadium when Roethlisberger and the Steelers won 13-10.
In that game, Roethlisberger entered with an injured right foot and left with a shattered nose, yet still got the job done in a game that propelled Pittsburgh to the division title.
Baltimore has defeated Pittsburgh three times over the past four seasons, and in each instance, Roethlisberger missed the game.
He was inactive in a 27-21 loss in 2007 because the Steelers had already clinched a playoff berth; he was sidelined with a concussion in a 20-17 defeat last season; and he sat out the first match-up this season while serving his suspension.
Besides the Steelers-Ravens rivalry, there is another rivalry to watch when the game starts - the Suggs versus Roethlisberger rivalry.
When asked about the rivalry, Roethlisberger said: "He and I usually battle it out, and these are always good games. I like his tenacity. He's tough and physical. We know all that stuff, but he never stops. His motor never stops going. He's a tough guy, and I like playing against him. We talk a little bit to each other out there; I won't call it trash talking, but we talk to each other. So it's a lot of fun."
