10 memorable games that helped make Big Ben

[BlitzburghRockCity]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06020/641026.stm

1. At Indianapolis Jan. 15, 2006
AFC divisional playoffs
Playing in the loudest venue in the NFL and against the top-seeded team in the playoffs, Roethlisberger completes six consecutive passes on his first possession and leads the Steelers to two touchdowns on their first three series en route to a 21-18 upset victory against the Colts.

2. At Cincinnati Jan. 8, 2006

AFC wild-card playoffs
Roethlisberger brings the Steelers back from deficits of 10-0 and 17-7 by completing 14 of 19 passes for 208 yards and throwing three touchdowns in a 31-17 victory -- the first road playoff win since Bill Cowher became head coach in 1992. Roethlisberger's passer rating of 148.7 is his highest since the season opener.

3. Philadelphia Nov. 27, 2004
First NFL season
Roethlisberger throws two touchdown passes and the Steelers score on their first three possessions to defeat the Eagles, 27-3, at Heinz Field and become the first team in league history to beat undefeated teams with at least six victories on back-to-back weekends.

4. At Napoleon (Ohio) H.S. Sept. 26, 1999

High school senior year

Trailing, 28-24, with 33 seconds remaining, Roethlisberger needs only two pass plays to move 67 yards and rally Findlay (Ohio) High School to a 31-28 victory, throwing a 28-yard touchdown to receiver Mike Iriti with 6.3 seconds left.

5. At Miami Sept 26, 2004
First NFL season
In his first NFL start, in a game delayed seven hours by a hurricane, Roethlisberger has modest stats (12 of 22, 163 yards), but he drills a perfect 7-yard touchdown to Hines Ward with 6:16 remaining to ensure a 13-3 victory against the Dolphins -- the first sign of his ability to produce big plays under pressure.

6. At Jacksonville Dec. 5, 2004
First NFL season
In the team's only prime-time appearance of the season, Roethlisberger leads the Steelers 56 yards on six plays with no timeouts remaining, capped by a 37-yard field goal by Jeff Reed with 18 seconds remaining, which produces a 17-16 victory.

7. At Kent State Oct. 25, 2003
College senior year
Trailing for the first time since a season-opening loss to Iowa, Roethlisberger turns to his coach at Miami (Ohio) University, Terry Hoeppner, and says, "Don't worry, coach, watch this." Roethlisberger marches his team 80 yards and throws an 11-yard touchdown pass to Mike Nance to make it 31-27, then adds a 4-yard scoring pass to Nance to close out a 38-30 victory.

8. Tennessee Sept. 11, 2005
Second NFL season
After a poor preseason, Roethlisberger becomes the 32nd quarterback in NFL history to post a perfect passer rating (158.3) when he completes 9 of 11 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-7 victory at Heinz Field. He raises his regular-season record to 14-0 as a starter.

9. At San Diego Oct. 10, 2005
Second NFL season
Roethlisberger passes for 225 yards and brings the Steelers back from fourth-quarter deficits of 16-14 and 22-21 for a 24-22 victory on a game-ending 40-yard field goal by Reed. Roethlisberger needs only three plays, all passes, to move the Steelers 52 yards to make it 21-16 after the Chargers take their first lead of the game.

10. At Dallas Oct. 17, 2004
First NFL season
The Steelers fall behind, 20-10, in Roethlisberger's second road start, but he rallies his team with two touchdowns in the final 11 minutes for a 24-20 victory. Roethlisberger is 7 for 7 and throws a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jerame Tuman on the drive that makes it 20-17.

[Suitanim]

I'm gonna add a single play that, to me, made me realize just what kind of special QB we had drafted.

October 3, 2004 Heinz Field against the Bungals
(This is from memory, so I don't have all the exact details)
Steelers are deep in their own territory (at open end of the stadium), Ben drops back to pass, pressure comes, he eludes the rush, twists and turns, but is tackled for a 6-7 yard loss, but...wait...NO! He's sacked but somehow manages to stick his left arm out, catches his balance, spins around and rights himself, quickly scans the field and hits Plax on the near sideline wide open for about a 40 yard gain. One of the most amazing things I've ever seen.

The fact that his knee grazes the ground and nullifies the play only detracted a tiny bit from the fun of watching this big 6'5" 240 lb guy look like Mike Vick running and then Joe Montana passing, all in one play!

[fergusonat]

Wow, that brought back some great memories This is the year...