Week 12 at Denver Broncos
Ben Roethlisberger owners were probably feeling pretty silly midway through the third quarter last week for starting him as he had negative fantasy points. But he finished with 322 yards and two scores -- offsetting his three interceptions -- and also rushed for a game-winning score to post a solid day. Roethlisberger has been rock solid in five of his past six games and Denver has allowed 9.1 yards per pass attempt in its past three games. Don't fade Roethlisberger in this one. If he can light of Jacksonville's top-rated pass defense on the road, he can do the same against a middling Denver defense.
Week 11 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Ben Roethlisberger lit up Carolina for 328 yards and five touchdowns, adding 27 yards rushing for his best game of the season. Now, he faces the Jaguars' top-rated pass defense on the road. For a while, you automatically didn't start Roethlisberger on the road, but this season, he's topped 300 yards in three of four road games while posting at least 270 yards in each outing. He also has seven TD passes in those games. Jacksonville's defense is tough, but the Steelers have enough variety in their weapons that he'll find some success and is a borderline QB1 this week despite the tough matchup.
Week 10 vs. Carolina Panthers
Ben Roethlisberger is shedding the 'don't play him on the road' stuff this season. Last week in Baltimore, he had 270 yards passing with two touchdowns while also running for a score for a very solid day. Now, he gets a Thursday night game. Over his career, he's posted 20 touchdown passes with just six interceptions in 13 Thursday night games, also averaging 277 passing yards in those games. He's playing well and he's at home. Roethlisberger is a solid, if unspectacular, QB1 start this week.
Week 9 at Baltimore Ravens
Ben Roethlisberger threw for 257 yards, two touchdowns and an interception last week as the Steelers went run heavy in the second half against an overmatched Browns defense. The sledding could be tough this week in Baltimore, where he's averaged 234 yards passing with five touchdowns and five interceptions in his past five games. He did throw for 274 yards and a score in their previous meeting this season, but Roethlisberger is a borderline QB start this week with six teams on the bye with the tough matchup.
Week 8 vs. Browns
Coming out of the bye week, Ben Roethlisberger ranks just outside the top 12 in overall fantasy scoring at the QB position. But he's got a home game in October looming. Why is that important? Throw out a five-interception debacle last season against Jacksonville, and Roethlisberger has thrown for an average of 338 yards per game with 19 touchdown passes and no interceptions in his previous five home games in October. The Browns have only allowed nine TD passes this season, but Roethlisberger at home is too good to pass up.
Week 6 at Cincinnati Bengals
In what was billed as a shootout, Roethlisberger threw for a season-low 250 yards. But he more than made up for that by tossing three TD passes for the third time in five outings this season. He also added 16 yards rushing to match his season high and help offset an interception. His home-road splits over the past few seasons would suggest sitting him this week, but Cincinnati is actually one of the places he's put up good yardage numbers even in recent years, posting at least 282 passing yards with six touchdown passes in his past four games there. That's not high-end QB1 stuff in today's pass-happy NFL, but it's not bad if your other QB is on a bye.
Week 5 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Ben Roethlisberger posted 274 yards and a touchdown last week against Baltimore with an interception and enters Week 5 as the NFL's yardage leader. He now faces an Atlanta defense that has given up at least 335 passing yards and three touchdowns in each of its past three games. Roethlisberger should be a great QB1 start this week.
Week 4 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Ben Roethlisberger threw for 353 yards and three scores last week and continues his magic in night games, regardless of the venue. He's back at home for a night game this week against a Baltimore defense he torched for 506 yards and two scores in a win late last season. The Ravens will again be without Jimmy Smith. In the previous three games Roethlisberger has faced the Ravens without Smith, he's averaged 375 yards per game with 11 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. He's a QB1 this week.
Week 3 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Roethlisberger bounced back from his tough Week 1 performance in the rain to throw for 452 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for another score. Everyone is well aware of Roethlisberger's home/road splits but what you might not be aware of is that he has averaged 295.8 yards passing per game in his past five road night games. Tampa Bay's pass defense is horrendous. But the Bucs will score, which means the Steelers will have to keep throwing. Roethlisberger is a solid QB1 this week.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Ben Roethlisberger threw for 335 yards but was responsible for five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumbles) in a rain-soaked, windy day in Cleveland. Two of the interceptions weren't really his fault, but they go on his tally, regardless. Nothing says bounce-back performance for Roethlisberger more than a home game against Kansas City. He's owned the Chiefs, going 7-1 against them in his career and unbeaten in games in which he's started and finished. And the Chiefs secondary looked awfully soft last week against the Chargers, allowing 424 yards and three scores with a number of passes dropped by Chargers receivers. He's been dealing with an elbow bruise but should be OK.
