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Writer's pictureSteven Poss

Big Ben’s Most Memorable Game Each Year: Pt 5 (’16-’18)

Ben Roethlisberger has played in 18 seasons for the Steelers for what should transform into a Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2027. Here’s a look back at Big Ben’s most memorable games each year from 2016 through 2018.

2016: Steelers 31, Ravens 27 (Week 16)

It was Christmas Day 2016 and the Steelers had an opportunity to clinch the AFC North in a home game against the Ravens. The high-powered Steelers offense started off struggling against the Ravens. The Steelers were down 20-10 towards the beginning of the 4th quarter. Le’Veon Bell then had a rushing touchdown and receiving touchdown to take the 24-20 lead in under a 5-minute span. The Ravens scored a touchdown on their next drive and milked six minutes off of the clock.

With around a minute left in the game, Big Ben led a drive into Baltimore territory. Roethlisberger completed a pass to Antonio Brown, and when it looked like he would be stopped short of the goal line, Brown made an extension across the plan. The Steelers were out of timeout and time likely would’ve run out if it wasn’t for the “Immaculate Extension.” The Steelers later advanced to the AFC Championship for the first time since 2016 but lost to the Patriots 36-17.

2017: Steelers 40, Titans 17 (Week 11)

The Steelers were competing to be the best team in the AFC while they hosted the Titans on Thursday Night Football. About a month prior, Ben Roethlisberger had one of his worst career games when he threw five interceptions in a 9-30 home loss to the Jaguars. Roethlisberger was new and improved as he lit up the board against the Titans. He threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown on the game’s opening drive and the Steelers had a 16-7 halftime lead.

Big Ben’s numbers went from good to great in the second half when he threw three touchdowns and didn’t surrender any interceptions. The Steelers won 40-17 and got to win in their black color rush uniforms. The Steelers finished the 2017 regular season 13-3, their best record since Roethlisberger’s rookie season in 2004.

2018: Steelers 30, Buccaneers 27 (Week 3)

The Steelers started the 2018 season 0-1-1, which was very disappointing for a team with such high expectations. Opposing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick started his first two games with 400+ yards and 4 touchdowns in each. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers were trying to silence some of the hype surrounding the Buccaneers. The Steelers made no hesitation by taking a 30-10 lead in the first half alone. Big Ben threw for three touchdowns and Bud Dupree had an interception return.

In the second half, the Buccaneer’s defense slowed down Big Ben’s Steelers as they went scoreless. The Buccaneers scored 21-unanswered points but it was too little, too late as the Steelers won 30-27. The Roethlisberger-Fitzpatrick duel totaled 764 yards of total passing yards.

From 2016-2018, Big Ben had a 31-13-1 overall record, 91-43 TD-INT ratio, 293.3 yards per game, and a 95.2 passer rating.

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