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BEN ROETHLISBERGER** Quarterback
This is what franchise quarterbacks do. This is why Ben Roethlisberger deserves to be recognized as a franchise quarterback.
Trailing 17-10 when the fourth quarter began and then by 20-10 shortly thereafter, Roethlisberger directed the Steelers on three touchdown drives – of 75 yards, then 90 yards, then 75 yards again – and he capped two of those with touchdown passes to lead the Steelers to a 31-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens that clinched the AFC North Division championship and guaranteed a playoff game at Heinz Field on the weekend of Jan. 7-8.
For the game, Roethlisberger completed 24-of-33 for 279 yards, with three touchdowns, two interceptions, and a rating of 103.0, but more important than the statistics were the situations in which Roethlisberger delivered for his team. Roethlisberger is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
Also considered were Le'Veon Bell, who had 122 yards rushing on 20 carries (6.1 average) and a touchdown, plus three catches for 15 yards and another touchdown to finish with 137 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns; Antonio Brown, who caught 10 passes for 96 yards and the game-winning touchdown; the offensive line of (from left) Al Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, and Marcus Gilbert, who paved the way for 127 yards rushing against the vaunted Ravens defense and kept Roethlisberger from being sacked; Eli Rogers, who caught four passes for 84 yards; Ryan Shazier, who had 10 tackles and an interception on the game's final play; William Gay, who led the team with 11 tackles, including one for loss; and Ryan Shazier, who had 10 tackles, including one for loss, and a forced fumble.
