STEELERS With Roethlisberger out, team takes a hit

The quarterback still appears bothered by his sore right knee.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Ben Roethlisberger's value to the Pittsburgh Steelers is illustrated in two telling statistics.
The Steelers' record with Roethlisberger starting at quarterback the last two seasons: 18-1. Their record with Tommy Maddox starting: 2-3, including 0-2 this season.
Roethlisberger is promising to do "everything I can" to get back for Monday night's important AFC matchup against the Indianapolis Colts (10-0), though he still appears bothered by the sore right knee that required surgery Nov. 3. Roethlisberger initially thought he would be playing by now.
Offense hurting
With Roethlisberger missing a third consecutive game Sunday, the Steelers (7-3) bogged down against a Baltimore Ravens team that hadn't scored a touchdown on offense in 11 quarters. Pittsburgh lost 16-13 in its second successive overtime loss with Maddox starting.
The Steelers got by the previous two weeks with Charlie Batch at quarterback, beating Green Bay and Cleveland to run their winning streak to four games. The offense was productive and in sync while beating the Browns 34-21, but Batch broke a bone in his right hand and couldn't play against the Ravens.
With neither Batch nor Roethlisberger available, the Ravens (3-7) took advantage of Maddox's immobility and a patched-up offensive line -- Trai Essex made his NFL debut by starting at left tackle -- to sack Maddox six times, force a fumble and limit him to an average of six yards per pass attempt.
"But I'm not going to point any fingers," said coach Bill Cowher, whose coaching staff's player personnel mismanagement also cost a couple of valuable timeouts in the second half. "We weren't where we needed to be and we weren't very efficient."
Fate is sealed
Maddox was better than he was in throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble in a 23-17 overtime loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 16, but only marginally. His latest failed start all but assures he won't play again in a meaningful game this season, providing Roethlisberger or Batch can suit up.
"We didn't make enough plays," Cowher said when asked to assess Maddox's day.
It is not yet certain if Batch can return for the Steelers' third Monday night game in eight weeks, though he was initially expected to be out at least two weeks.
Their quarterback injuries aside, the Steelers' first loss in 12 road games cost them a chance to break out of their tie with Cincinnati (7-3) for the AFC North lead. Losing that game in the standings could prove critical because the teams play again Dec. 4 in Pittsburgh.
"Eight-and-two is a lot better than 7-3 and you'd be undefeated in the AFC North," linebacker Joey Porter said. "So that puts us right back in a dog fight with Cincinnati."
What-ifs
Had the Steelers beaten the Ravens, they would lead the division by at least a game with four to play provided they beat Cincinnati at home.
"That's the problem," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "If you don't finish games that you have the opportunity to win, then you're kind of behind the 8-ball. We're going to look at it, learn from it and put it behind us. It's a six-game season for us."
It's also a difficult one. Three of the Steelers' final six games are against teams with records better than or the same as theirs. They also have the Vikings and Browns (4-6) on the road, plus Detroit (4-6) at home.