Game-Winning Drive vs. Ravens Moves Ben Roethlisberger into Elite Company

BALTIMORE — When the Pittsburgh Steelers needed a game-winning drive to help secure their playoff fate in overtime against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, they had the luxury of turning to one of the best to ever do it.

Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers on one drive in overtime, taking the team 65 yards in 15 plays to set up a 36-yard Chris Boswell field goal to win it.

The game-winning drive was the 53rd of Roethlisberger’s career, moving him into a tie with Tom Brady and Drew Brees for second in NFL history. Only Peyton Manning has more with 54.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said he wasn’t surprised that Roethlisberger was able to come through in the clutch once again.

“He’s been smiling in the face of adversity for 18 years,” he said. “So, even though it’s not surprising, it’s still appreciated.”

Tomlin was asked what makes Roethlisberger so good in those situations, and he said it’s mostly about his calm demeanor under pressure.

“He’s the same when everybody else gets funny,” Tomlin said. “Everybody else gets a little tight, he’s the same guy.” 

The ability to keep battling and keep fighting, regardless of the odds or of being behind is one of the hallmarks of Roethlisberger’s NFL career, so it’s fitting that perhaps his final regular season game was one more time down that path for the Pittsburgh gunslinger.

“It’s pretty special,” he said.