The Pittsburgh Steelers, under head coach Mike Tomlin, are making waves in the AFC North, and a familiar voice from the franchise’s storied history is chiming in with a bold proclamation.
Ben Roethlisberger, the two-time Super Bowl champion and former face of the Steelers, has weighed in on the team’s resurgence, taking a direct shot at Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
Roethlisberger’s words come at a pivotal moment for Pittsburgh. With an impressive 8-2 record, the Steelers sit atop the AFC North, controlling their own destiny in the race for the conference’s No. 1 seed. Their latest victory, an 18-16 thriller over Baltimore, has only solidified their standing as legitimate contenders. But for Big Ben, the story goes beyond the stats — it’s about the mental edge Pittsburgh holds over its fiercest rival.
In reflecting on the rivalry, Roethlisberger highlighted the power of Pittsburgh’s unique home atmosphere. “Renegade,” the Steelers’ iconic anthem, isn’t just a song; it’s a psychological weapon. “It just feels like Baltimore can’t handle us,” Roethlisberger said. “Renegade is such a unique thing to the stadium. When it plays, fans go nuts. It gets really loud and it has this special power. Baltimore can’t handle it. They can’t handle it.”
This isn’t just bravado from a retired quarterback. The numbers back him up. Lamar Jackson, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s most electrifying talents, holds a dismal 1-4 record as a starter against the Steelers. Roethlisberger’s comments underline a critical point: Pittsburgh doesn’t just beat Baltimore physically; they dominate them mentally.
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Looking ahead, the Steelers face the Cleveland Browns next, a crucial game in their pursuit of AFC supremacy. But all eyes are on December 21, when they’ll clash with the Ravens once more. That game could prove decisive not just for division standings but for the psychological battle Roethlisberger believes is already tipping heavily in Pittsburgh’s favor.
The former quarterback also expressed amazement at how Pittsburgh’s defense has risen to the occasion, shutting down what he called a “juggernaut” Ravens offense. “Our defense is really good, but we shut them down. Derrick Henry only rushed 13 times. Like, what are we doing? That’s what I’m saying. What’s going on? It just feels different.”
Roethlisberger’s comments resonate because they cut to the heart of the Steelers’ identity. Under Mike Tomlin’s leadership, Pittsburgh has consistently been a team that thrives on grit, preparation, and a refusal to back down. These qualities were on full display against Baltimore, and they’ll need to be again as the season progresses.
Critics once questioned Tomlin’s decision to bring in Russell Wilson over Justin Fields. Yet, as the Steelers march toward the postseason, the move appears inspired. Wilson has brought poise and veteran leadership, complementing a defense that is playing some of its best football in years.
The mental toughness Roethlisberger alludes to is also a testament to Tomlin’s coaching philosophy. Few teams embody the “next man up” mentality quite like Pittsburgh, and this season has been no exception. Even when the odds seemed stacked against them, the Steelers have found ways to win, often in dramatic fashion.
As December looms, the Steelers’ path to the playoffs looks both challenging and promising. They’ll need to maintain their focus against divisional rivals and keep their eyes on the ultimate prize: a deep playoff run and potentially dethroning Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
For Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, the pressure is mounting. December 21 represents not just an opportunity for redemption but a chance to silence critics like Roethlisberger. Until then, the Steelers remain in the driver’s seat, and as Big Ben has made clear, the psychological advantage is very much theirs.
