The NFL season starts anew on Saturday when the AFC Wild Card playoff games get rolling, and with that fresh start comes a new approach.
"It's a new season," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "You throw everything out the window and wire in a little more, focus a little more, attention to detail a little more and just get ready to play.
"It doesn't matter how great of a regular season you had. Some of the best regular seasons haven't done anything in the postseason. Some guys who haven't done anything in the regular season have been awesome in the postseason."
Roethlisberger said it's important for everyone to have that approach as they prepare to take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night at Paul Brown Stadium, to know that the last 16 games were a battle to get where they are now. What's important is the here and now.
"That's kind of my message to everybody," said Roethlisberger. "It doesn't matter what's happened to date. It's about what you are going to do moving forward."
More from Ben:
On why Ben Roethlisberger has been productive against the Bengals this year:
"They like to take away the deep ball, the big play. They sit back, some high-shelf coverages to take away those things, and usually it opens up underneath stuff. When you've got a savvy veteran guy like Heath, he finds ways to get open."
On why he called Miller the best teammate he ever had:
"He is incredibly selfless. He'll always put the team first, he'll do whatever it takes to help a teammate, he'll score a touchdown and he looks to celebrate with his teammates first. He'll make tough plays and he's not afraid to stick his nose in and block in the running game and block for the passing game. He's not just making big plays and catching touchdowns, he's about doing all the little things to help the team win."
On his recollection of the playoff game against the Bengals during the 2005 season:
"That's was a long time ago. Obviously, the big news was Carson Palmer going out. And then, just how everything changes, how much faster these playoff games are, how much more every little mistake means, every little play means. It's a completely new season."
On what stands out about Antonio Brown compared to the other great receivers he has had:
"Those guys who I've played with, and I've played with a lot of special wide receivers, and he's up there with the best of them, if not at the top. Just his work ethic is unbelievable and he can make plays after the ball is in his hands, it's just something else."
On if playing division opponents in the postseason feel different:
"Yes, and no. That's tough. It's the postseason, so everything feels a little different. But I guess you're playing a division opponent for the third time, a rubber match or whatever you want to call it. So, yes there's lots of tape you can look at I guess. That's the best way to say there's familiarity."
On what Le'Veon Bell means to the passing game and pass protection:
"He's very, very good in the passing game. I think people look at almost 1,000 yards rushing and all the touchdowns. But in the pass game, his pass blocking is exceptional. He gets out and gets to where he's supposed to be every time. To me, that's invaluable as a quarterback, to always know where your safety valve is."
