Roethlisberger Will Likely Face the Browns on Sunday

by Chris Pokorny on Dec 30, 2011 1:17 PM EST

Will Colt McCoy be on the field when the Cleveland Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday? Probably not, as backup Seneca Wallace is expected to play for the third consecutive game. What about Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger?

"As long as I can deal with pain, I'll be out there," Roethlisberger said Thursday. "I don't want to let the guys down, so I'll do what I can to be out there."

One might look at this situation and wonder why in the world the Steelers would risk playing Roethlisberger against the same defense that injured his ankle a couple of weeks ago and put him in the current predicament he is in. Two weeks ago, Roethlisberger was not able to do much on a wounded ankle, and it showed as the Steelers were blown out by the 49ers. Last week, the Steelers rested Roethlisberger against an inferior St. Louis Rams team. The result? A 27-0 showing of dominance by Pittsburgh. Cleveland heads into this game with a 4-11 record. Can't Pittsburgh get by with Batch again?

Maybe not. The Steelers' defense had to play a near-perfect game the last time these two teams met because Cleveland's defense played a very physical game against the Steelers, limiting their offense to just one touchdown for most of the game. There is something on the line in terms of the playoffs for this game too. The Browns and the Steelers square off at 4:15 PM EST. So do the Ravens and the Bengals. If the Ravens lose that game, which they very well could against a Bengals team trying to secure the final wildcard spot, then a Pittsburgh win would give them a first-round bye. That first-round bye would be more important to Pittsburgh than giving Roethlisberger another week's worth of rest. The best-case scenario for Pittsburgh? If they come out with an aggressive gameplan and get a nice, big early lead like Baltimore did last week, they can insert Batch into the game and try to drain the clock.

Hopefully the Browns will have none of that. The Browns have already had an impact on the Steelers' season with the Roethlisberger injury, just as the Steelers created an issue with Colt McCoy's injury. A season-ending win could hurt the Browns' draft prospects, but I'll take a win over Pittsburgh in a game they need to have.

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Comments

That worked out well for him last time.

by Roger Dorn on Dec 30, 2011 1:25 PM EST reply actions

que the whiny pittsburgh fans trying to defend harrison even though this article has nothing to do with him.

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

by pwndabear on Dec 30, 2011 1:30 PM EST reply actions

I heard the three rivers that meet at Pittsburgh are made up of tears from all the whiny crybabies defending James Harrison.

I take this optimism shit seriously.

"Who gives two shits about Matt Roth besides Matt Roth and Matt Roth’s mom?" - LocalMan

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by The Licensed Optimist on Dec 30, 2011 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

They’re is plenty of whining in Cleveland, don’t forget… but yes, that mongrel Harrison needs a taste of his own medicine. Maybe he’d think twice before lowering his helmet into someone’s face again.

I want to see Rubin and Taylor finish out this season strong. Would love to see this D line become a dominate factor in the future.

"A drug person can learn to cope with things like seeing their dead grandmother crawling up their leg with a knife in her teeth. But no one should be asked to handle this trip." Thompson

by LocalMan on Dec 30, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

really. . .I mean really. . .

Is this the best you can come up with. . .do you really think we waste time still replaying in our heads the hit to send Colt McCoy prematurely into 2012?? Really. . .we have bigger fish to fry people. . .I know u people probably couldn’t spell playoffs even if someone spotted you P L A Y but that is where our attention is. . .it is in Cincinnati and beyond for this weekend. . .although I was quite delighted to learn that Pashos was going to join McCoy by arriving into 2012 a bit prematurely- bye now!!!

by 7th Heaven on Dec 30, 2011 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

lol we got one!

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

by pwndabear on Dec 30, 2011 8:34 PM EST up reply actions

i call it fishing for douches

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

by pwndabear on Dec 30, 2011 8:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Your busted up, old ass team isn’t going to do shit in the playoffs, and it’s funny that you think otherwise.

See you in at the draft, dirt bag.

"A drug person can learn to cope with things like seeing their dead grandmother crawling up their leg with a knife in her teeth. But no one should be asked to handle this trip." Thompson

by LocalMan on Dec 30, 2011 9:16 PM EST up reply actions