Big Ben’s Most Memorable Game Each Year: Pt 6 (’19-’21)
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 2019 through 2021.
2019: Injured Reserve 🙁
2020: Steelers 24, Cowboys 19 (Week 9)
The Steelers were riding high with a 7-0 start. They entered into a trap game at Dallas and were 14-point favorites. The Steeler’s offense started very flat. The Cowboys had a 13-0 lead to start as they held the Steelers without a score. It wasn’t until late in the first half when Ben Roethlisberger threw a touchdown pass, and Chris Boswell hit a 59-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 13-9. The Steelers couldn’t keep the momentum going in the second half and fell behind 19-9. At the very start of the 4th quarter, Big Ben hit Juju Smith-Schuster on a 31-yard pass for a touchdown. On their next drive, Roethlisberger led a drive that ended in a field goal, but the Steelers were still down 19-15.
Boswell missed both of his extra-point attempts during the game. The Cowboys were driving down the field and looked to extend the lead to double-digits. On a play inside the Pittsburgh 5-yard line, Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted Garrett Gilbert to get the ball back. The Steelers got a field goal on that drive, and once they got the ball back again, Big Ben completed a touchdown pass to Eric Ebron with around two minutes left in the game. The Cowboys threatened to score on the final few plays, but the Pittsburgh defense preserved the 24-19 win. That win capped off a 3-game road stretch where the Steelers won on the final play. The 2020 Steelers had their best start in franchise history by starting 11-0 but lost four of their last five games to give up the 1-seed. They were upset by the rival-Browns in the Wildcard round 48-37.
2021: Steelers 16, Ravens 13 (Week 18)
The Steelers headed to Baltimore for the final game with a chance to clinch a playoff spot. Ben Roethlisberger had hinted at his retirement before the game and the Steelers clearly didn’t want Big Ben’s last game to be a loss to the rival Ravens. Roethlisberger had a very rough start. In the first half, he threw an interception and only led the Steelers to 3 total points. It was a classic Steelers-Ravens defensive rivalry as the score was tied 3-3 at halftime. After falling behind 10-6 in the fourth quarter, Big Ben targeted Chase Claypool in the endzone for a 6-yard touchdown pass.
The Ravens made a field goal so the game was headed for overtime. The Ravens got the ball first, but the Steeler’s defense forced them to punt. Roethlisberger converted on a crucial 4th & 8 by completing a pass to Ray-Ray McCloud to enter in field goal range. Boswell made the game-winning field goal in overtime to have a 16-13 victory. The Steelers qualified for the playoffs but were taken down by the Chiefs in the Wildcard round 42-21.
From 2019-2021, Big Ben had a 21-12 overall record, 55-21 TD-INT ratio, 239.2 yards per game, and an 89.3 passer rating.