Week 17 at Cleveland
Roethlisberger had an off day last week, throwing for just 215 yards and two interceptions. But he came off the bench earlier this season to torture the Browns for three scores and 379 yards on a badly sprained foot. It would be shocking to see him have two bad games in a row, especially with the Steelers needing a win. Look for Roethlisberger to have a strong bounce back game.
Week 16 at Baltimore
After throwing for 380 yards and three scores last week against Denver's top-rated defense, becoming the first player this season to top 300 against the Broncos, there's no reason to think Roethlisberger won't light up the Ravens, right? Well, maybe not. Roethlisberger has thrown 16 of his 18 touchdown passes in home games this season. He's put up big yardage totals in pretty much every game in which he's played at least three quarters, but the TDs haven't been there on the road. On the positive side, however, Baltimore has allowed 17 TD passes in seven home games. You've got to keep rolling with Roethlisberger and hope he shakes his road TD woes.
Week 15 vs. Denver
Roethlisberger threw for 282 yards but no touchdowns last week at Cincinnati, continuing a home-away trend in terms of scores. In five home games in which he's played, Roethlisberger has 13 touchdown passes. He has just two TD passes in four road starts. He also faces Denver's top-rated pass defense this week, which has given up just 13 TD passes all season. Five have come in the past three weeks, though. Roethlisberger likely won't top 300 yards this week - nobody has against the Broncos this season - but he should be solid, if unspectacular.
Week 14 at Cincinnati
Roethlisberger has thrown for at least 334 yards in each of the past four games, including 364 to go with four TD passes last week against Indianapolis. He had 262 yards passing and a touchdown with three interceptions last month against Cincinnati, but it was his first game back after missing four with a knee injury. He's been on fire since. There's no reason to think that changes.
Week 13 vs. Indianapolis
The 456 yards that Roethlisberger threw for against Seattle last week - the most ever against the Seahawks - before leaving with a concussion. He had just one touchdown pass, but also scrambled five times for 18 yards, the first time he's had positive rushing yards this season. Roethlisberger will play this week against Indianapolis, a team he lit up for 522 yards and six scores last season at Heinz Field. I wouldn't expect that kind of game again, but the Colts have allowed multiple TD passes in seven of 11 games, while holding just one opponent to under 244 yards passing. Roethlisberger is a must-start this week.
Week 12 at Seattle
Ben Roethlisberger said he's as healthy as usual in late November, so that's good news moving forward for the quarterback. Seattle traditionally has been tough on defense at home and is third in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season, but a closer look at that ranking shows those numbers have been built on bad offenses. Arizona lit them up at home a couple of weeks ago and Cincinnati also had good success throwing it against the Seahawks. Roethlisberger and company aren't some of the other pop-gun offenses the Seahawks have had success against. You don't need to go out of your way to play Roethlisberger, but if you've got him on your roster, he won't be a terrible option.
Week 9 vs. Oakland
Roethlisberger looked average last week in his return from a knee injury, throwing for 262 yards and a touchdown and three interceptions. Losing Le'Veon Bell hurts in that he was also a big part of the passing game, so the injury will also put more on Roethlisberger's shoulders. Oakland has allowed more than 300 passing yards four times and has given up at least two passing touchdowns in all but one game this season. Roethlisberger should be primed for a big game.
Week 8 vs. Cincinnati
Roethlisberger will be back this week and will have the whole gang together as Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and he will be on the field together in a game for the first time this season. Cincinnati offers a big challenge, especially with Roethlisberger coming off a sprained knee, but he had 351 and 369 passing yards in his two full games played this season and was on his way to a third big game when he was injured at St. Louis in Week 3. Roethlisberger has also beaten Cincinnati in eight of his past 10 starts, including both meetings last year. He's a solid start this week.
Week 3 at St. Louis
Roethlisberger threw for 360 yards and three scores last week against San Francisco and is the only QB in the league to be over 300 yards in each of the first two weeks. St. Louis has allowed a combined 454 passing yards and two passing TDs in its first two games, but that could be because the Rams have been easy to run on. While he'll get Le'Veon Bell back this week, Roethlisberger will continue his aerial assault and is a solid start this week.
Week 2 vs. San Francisco
Roethlisberger wasn't necessarily his sharpest at New England last week, but he did put up 351 yards and a touchdown with one interception. There was a question as to how he'd play without Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant, but he was able to spread the ball around enough to put up a solid performance. Working at home this week, Roethlisberger should be a little better off -- especially since the Steelers should find running room tough to come by against the 49ers. Remember, 23 of his 32 TD passes last season came at home.
