USA TODAY International Edition
Big Ben to sit out Sunday against Browns
AKRON, Ohio – The Browns will face backup quarterback Mason Rudolph instead of starter Ben Roethlisberger with a playoff berth on the line Sunday against the Steelers.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday during a news conference he will rest Roethlisberger and turn to Rudolph.
The Browns ( 10- 5) would clinch their first postseason spot since 2002 with a win over the Steelers ( 12- 3), who secured the AFC North title this past weekend.
Now the Steelers have the luxury of resting their two- time Super Bowl- winning quarterback.
“Given an opportunity to airmail a player or two to the postseason, we will,” Tomlin said in a news conference.
Cleveland’s odds are significantly better against Rudolph. Roethlisberger, 38, improved to 23- 2- 1 as a starter against them when the Steelers routed the Browns 38- 7 on Oct. 18 at Heinz Field. Rudolph is 0- 1 as a starter against the Browns, and it’s an understatement to say his lone start was eventful.
On Nov. 14, 2019, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett hit Rudolph over the head with the backup quarterback’s helmet during a nasty brawl. The NFL suspended Garrett for the final six games of the season, and he accused Rudolph of calling him “a stupid N- word” in the moments preceding the infamous helmet swing. Rudolph has denied the allegation.
The Steelers drafted Rudolph in the third round out of Oklahoma State in 2018. He went 5- 3 as a starter for them last season when Roethlisberger was out due to an elbow injury. Rudolph is starting for the first time this season.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to ( Rudolph) about it, but I’m sure he’s excited about getting an opportunity to start, certainly,” Tomlin said.
Despite missing two games this season with COVID- 19, Garrett is ranked sixth in the NFL with 12 sacks.
“We’ve got to work to neutralize their four- man rush,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, that centers around Myles Garrett.
Blocking him and who blocks him and the number of people that block him is just a component of it.”
Tomlin explained he decided to rest Roethlisberger primarily because the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs had clinched the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. Right now, the Bills are second, followed by the Steelers. The Browns are in the seventh and final position.
“There’s one bye available in this single- elimination tournament,” Tomlin said. “We’re not going to be that team. We made that bed. So we’re prepared to lay in it. That’s the most significant variable for us.”
Tomlin left the door open to rest a few other key players.
“Ben is the only guy that I’m willing to acknowledge that will not play in this game,” Tomlin said. “We’ve got a number of guys who are working to come off of injury right now. That could fill out the remaining portion of our inactive list. So this is no preseason game where we’re playing backups.”