Steelers Deliver BIG vs Browns

Most of the time, when we see no. 7 on the field for the Steelers, it is as a starting quarterback. This past Sunday, that was not the case. Coach Mike Tomlin listed Ben as active for the game Sunday versus conference foe, the Cleveland Browns. The reason Ben was not starting on Sunday was due to a left mid-foot sprain he sustained in the previous week in the Steelers week 10 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Roethlisbeger was sacked in the middle of the 3rd quarter and his foot was landed on by Raiders defensive end, Aldon Smith. 

The Steelers began the game with back-up quarterback Landry Jones. In just his second career start, Jones was 0-1 and facing a battered Cleveland defense at home, so the odds were somewhat in his favor. Jones' day however,  was cut short. On the opening drive for the Steelers, Jones delivered a throw near the endzone and a Browns defender pushed a lineman into Jones and stepped on his ankle. Jones couldn't put any pressure on that ankle, so that was when Mike Tomlin looked like a genius. 

If Ben had been listed inactive instead for the game due to his injury, he wouldn't have been able to play and backup Jones and the Steelers would've had to have played tight end Heath Miller at quarterback. Luckily Ben was active and played the entirety of the game. If Ben is healthy, that can only mean one thing. A good day for this man:

Antonio Brown is arguably the best receiver in the NFL when Ben Roethlisberger is under center. The chemistry and connection those two have is remarkable and it shows up in numbers. In games with Roethlisberger, Brown averages 10.4 catches per game averaging 153 yards. In games without

Ben, Brown is averaging a dismal four catches for 64 yards. It is Ben that stirs "AB's" pot and Ben was the spark that Steelers needed on Sunday. 

The game was tied at 3-3 with the Browns having the ball in the first quarter. That is until Ben found his favorite target. Last week versus the Raiders, Brown had franchise recording-setting day, hauling in 17 catches for 284 yards. 

This week, Brown followed it up with 10 catches for 173 yards a pair of touchdowns. 

Brown and Ben are hotter than any other duo in the league and have high potential if Ben stays healthy. Headed into the buy week, the Steelers will receive a much needed rest and prepare for a tough road test in week 12 versus the Seattle Seahawks. Go Steelers!