AFC Championship at New England
Roethlisberger completed 20 of 31 passes for 224 yards, no touchdowns and an interception last week in Kansas City. And he also had two passes that would have been touchdowns broken up at the last second. His lone interception also came on a tipped pass at the goal line, so the Steelers are still throwing down near the goal line. He's going to have to be better than that this week and he knows it. Expect Big Ben to raise his game, but this is a team that is extremely intent on running the ball with Le'Veon Bell. Roethlisberger won't get shut out in the TD department this week, but the Steelers will keep on running.
Divisional Round at Kansas City
Ben Roethlisberger only put the ball in the air 18 times last week - five of which came in the second half - completing 13 passes for 197 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. This is now a run-first offense, all things being equal. Roethlisberger averaged 39 pass attempts in the first half of the season. During the team's current 8-game winning streak he hasn't thrown 39 passes in a single game. Weather also figures to be a factor as it's expected to rain throughout Sunday's game. The Chiefs will give up some big plays, but the Steelers also are wary of their big-play defense. Roethlisberger also had nine TDs against eight interceptions in his eight road starts this season. There are more sure-fire options available this week.
Wild Card Round vs. Miami
After a week off, a rested Ben Roethlisberger gets to face a Miami defense that limited him to 189 yards and one TD with two interceptions back in Week 6. But that was in Miami and Roethlisberger suffered a meniscus injury that required surgery. This Miami team isn't that one. Corner Byron Maxwell is iffy to play and the Dolphins have two new starting safeties, as well. In six home starts, Roethlisberger has thrown 20 TD passes. Miami has given up 16 touchdown passes in its past six games and the Dolphins are 31st in adjusted points allowed to quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers will be a more trendy play this week, but Roethlisberger is likely to be the top-scoring QB available.
Week 16 vs. Baltimore
Roethlisberger had 286 yards passing and a touchdown last week at Cincinnati, finishing off the Steelers' regular season road schedule. Now, he comes back home, where he's thrown 17 TD passes in five starts this season. He had six TD passes in his last regular season home start against Baltimore, as well. And Baltimore has given up 15 touchdown passes in six road games this season, despite three of those games coming against the Jets, Jaguars and Browns. Roethlisberger is a sneaky good start this week, especially if Baltimore corner Jimmy Smith sits out.
Week 15 at Cincinnati
It's no secret Roethlisberger has struggled on the road. Some of it has been weather issues, but he also hasn't played particularly well. He threw for 220 yards without a touchdown and three interceptions last week. But the Steelers went run-heavy in the second half as Roethlisberger three just five passes in the final two quarters. Roethlisberger has typically played well in Cincinnati, but the Steelers will lean on the run game again against a soft Bengals run defense in what promises to be another cold day. There are better starts out there.
Week 14 at Buffalo
Roethlisberger threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Giants and will go for the sweep of the New York teams Sunday in Buffalo. The problem is that this game is in Buffalo, which is expected to get heavy snows this weekend. Weather can always be an issue in the northeast in December and it could hold Roethlisberger's numbers down against a Buffalo defense that has given up 28.5 points per game in its last six outings. After allowing just three TD passes in its first six games, Buffalo has allowed 12 in its past six. Roethlisberger isn't typically affected as much as other QBs by weather, but he'll still be affected. Because of that, there are some better options available this week.
Week 13 vs. Giants
Roethlisberger had his most productive road game of the season since the opener, throwing three TD passes and for 221 yards at Indianapolis on just 20 pass attempts. With the game largely in hand, Roethlisberger attempted just seven second-half passes. He'll likely need to do more than that against the Giants and he's been rock solid at home this season, throwing 15 TD passes in four starts. The Giants have the fifth-rated QB defense in fantasy football but haven't played many top-level QBs, either. Roethlisberger should be a solid start this week.
Week 12 at Indianapolis
Roethlisberger threw for just 167 yards in windy conditions as the Steelers relied heavily on the running game and defense last week in Cleveland. He's been decidedly average on the road this season but that hasn't been against the Indianapolis defense. In the previous two meetings with the Colts, Roethlisberger has thrown for 886 yards and 10 touchdowns with no interceptions against the Colts. That works out to over 7,000 yards and 80 TD passes if he played 16 games against Indianapolis. The Colts allow 285 yards passing per game, the worst in the NFL. And this game is indoors. Roethlisberger should break out on the road this week.
Week 11 at Cleveland
Roethlisberger threw for a season-high 408 yards and three touchdowns last week against Dallas. He's been much better at home with 15 touchdown passes in four games as opposed to five TDs on the road in four games. But he's healthy now, and Cleveland's defense is atrocious. It is expected to be windy in Cleveland on Sunday, and Roethlisberger said he will wear a glove to help him spin the ball. He should be a solid start this week against one of the league's worst pass defenses.
Week 10 vs. Dallas
Roethlisberger was at less than 100 yards entering the fourth quarter last week but opened things up and finished with 264 yards passing, one touchdown, one interception and a rushing touchdown in a Blake Bortles-like effort. The rushing touchdown was perhaps the best sign moving forward, as he had to scramble and jump into the end zone, showing he's recovered from his knee injury. Roethlisberger has 51 touchdown passes at home - compared to 19 on the road - since the start of the 2014 regular season. He's at home this week, so you can likely count on multiple scores and a pretty good yardage game. He should be one of the best QBs going this week.
