Ben Roethlisberger was asked after Saturday’s win to explain how he’s been able to beat the Ravens seven straight times.
“Luck,” Roethlisberger said with a smile.
Being able to deliver vertical plays in the fourth quarter would be high on our list. The key play of the game was Roethlisberger’s 58-yard bomb to rookie Antonio Brown on third-and-19. Big Ben says the play call was his idea.
“I told [offensive coordinator] Bruce Arians, ‘Let’s send him.’ All the receivers were supposed to do 15-yard stop routes. I said, ‘Let’s just chuck it deep. If they pick it, it’s a pick way down there, and it’s just as good as a punt.”
Roethlisberger said he wanted to throw away from Ed Reed’s side of the field, and just tried to throw the ball as far as he could.
“I saw the young fella just take off, so I’m just going to throw it up for you,” Roethlisberger said.
The loss has to feel sickeningly familiar to the Ravens. Once again, the Steelers came up with the biggest fourth quarter plays.
“What better way to put the Ravens out of the tournament,” Hines Ward said. “They keep asking for us and we keep putting them out of the tournament. They’re going to be ticked about this for a long time.”