Ravens on edge against Big Ben

Photo by: David Duprey

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo

Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger (7) is pressured by Buffalo Bills' Aaron Maybin (58) and Chris Kelsay (90) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. The Steelers won 19-16 in overtime.

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Ben Roethlisberger is the great equalizer in the Steelers-Ravens rivalry.

Of the last eight games between the division rivals, the Steelers have won five — all with Roethlisberger at quarterback. The three he didn’t play, they lost.

Detect a pattern?

Despite spraining his right foot against the Bills, Roethlisberger is expected to be in the lineup when the teams meet Sunday night in Baltimore for first place in the AFC North.

On OCt. 3, Roethlisberger was suspended when the Ravens beat the Steelers 17-14 on a last-minute Joe Flacco to T.J. Houshmandzadeh touchdown pass in Pittsburgh. He was out with a concussion during Pittsburgh’s 20-17 overtime loss in Baltimore last season.

Roethlisberger is 7-2 as a starter against the Ravens, with both losses occurring in 2006. He is 162 of 287 for 2,104 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 career game against them, including his NFL debut as an injury replacement for Tommy Maddox in 2004.

No doubt the Steelers (8-3) want Roethlisberger ready to go for what could be their biggest game of the season. Win, and they’re a game up on the Ravens (8-3) with four games to play. Lose, and they’re effectively down two games because Baltimore would own a one-game lead and the tiebreaker should the teams finish with the same record.

The Ravens have won their last eight at home.

“You don’t want to miss that one,” wide receiver Hines Ward said. “This is going to be a heavyweight fight, champs for our division. It always is, every year, regardless if one team’s struggling or the other team is having success. This is the one you circle.”

The importance of having Roethlisberger when the Steelers play their biggest rival was illustrated in 2008. Then, the Steelers won three tight games against the Ravens by scores of 23-20 in overtime at home, 13-9 in Baltimore and 23-14 again in Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game.

During the 13-9 game, he drove the Steelers nearly the length of the field during a decisive 12-play drive that ended with his 4-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes with 43 seconds remaining. He was 7 of 11 for 89 yards on that drive alone. He also found Holmes on a 65-yard touchdown pass play in the AFC championship game, which preceded the Steelers’ win over Arizona in the Super Bowl.

Despite his sore foot, Roethlisberger led his 22nd career game-winning scoring drive in the fourth quarter or overtime as the Steelers beat Buffalo 19-16 in overtime on Sunday.