USA Today via Reuters
Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) just prior to the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) just prior to the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been a season to remember for Ben Roethlisberger-led Pittsburgh Steelers and their massive fanbase. They started their campaign in epic fashion and made their way to an 11-game unbeaten streak. Critics even predicted that Mike Tomlin’s boys will match the 16-game unbeaten record set by the 2007 New England Patriots team under coach Bill Belichick.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 21, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) drops to throw during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
But their winning streak was broken by the Washington Football Team three weeks ago. They went on to lose two more games, including one shock 27-17 loss at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals. But the Steelers confirmed a spot in this year’s playoffs by winning the AFC North title after last weekend’s 28-24 win over Indianapolis Colts.
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But veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was given a head’s up by coach Tomlin after that win.
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Ben Roethlisberger will sit out the game against the Browns in Week 17
As reported by Steelers insider, Roethlisberger will not make an appearance in his team’s final regular-season fixture this weekend. The Steelers are scheduled to take on AFC North opponents, Cleveland Browns, at the FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday. But it will be Mason Rudolph who starts at quarterback and not Big Ben.
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Ben Roethlisberger says Mike Tomlin came to him right after Sunday's AFC North-clinching win and told him he wouldn't play vs #Browns. The #Steelers QB said, "I knew that was the end of the discussion."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) December 30, 2020
What makes this match-up even more exciting is the involvement of Rudolph. He was part of this fixture last season which saw Browns DE Myles Garrett depart for an on-field altercation. Both these players will face each other for the first time since that unfateful game in Week 17.
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The Browns still need a win to make the post-season so they will be firing on all cylinders. Coach Kevin Stefanski and QB Baker Mayfield are under pressure to up the ante, especially after the defeat to the New York Jets in Week 16. As per CBS Sports research analyst Stephen Oh’s projections, the Browns’ playoff chances increased by 11% after news emerged that Tomlin will rest some of his starters. For the sake of Cleveland fans, we hope these stats fall in line with Sunday’s result.
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