Big Ben adapts to NFL’s focus on passing
has a complete grasp of this offense.”
What makes Roethlisberger’s performance so impressive thus far is he’s put up his stats without All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown being a major factor in the offense. Brown has 24 catches for 210 yards, both numbers well below his career average. While opposing defensive coordinators doubleand triple-team Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Vance McDonald and Jesse James have stepped up and made their presence felt.
Smith-Schuster is third in the league in receiving. He has 27 catches for 356 receiving yards. James has nine catches for 205 yards and McDonald has seven for 138 yards in only two games.
There was a time when Roethlisberger would force the ball to Brown even when he was double- and tripleteamed. He doesn’t feel the need to do that now.
“It’s other guys stepping up and playing well,” Roethlisberger said. “When other guys are making plays and making catches and are in the right spot, you don’t feel like you have to get the ball to A.B. every time.”
Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ passing game will be tested Sunday. The Ravens enter the game with the top-ranked defense in the NFL. They are first in total defense (273 yards per game), second in pass defense (169 ypg), and fifth in scoring defense (17 points per game).
Roethlisberger, however, always seems to save his best for the Ravens. When these two teams met at Heinz Field last December Roethlisberger was 44 for 66 for 506 yards and two touchdowns. In a 2014 game at Heinz, he threw for 340 yards and six touchdowns. He’s averaging 304 passing yards per game in his past six games against his biggest rival.
The Ravens and the rest of the NFL have witnessed the evolution of a quarterback who is thriving in an era when coaches embrace the passing game.
“That’s just the league in general, the change from where it was 10 years ago when it was ball control, run the ball, deep shots and play great defense,” Weddle said. “Now it’s ‘spread them out and get the ball in your best players’ hands and let them make plays.’ When you have a special QB like Ben, why not? You trust your quarterback. He’s been a Super Bowl champion, and you trust he’s going to make the right decision and you roll with it.”