In addition to his 10-1 mark against the Browns, Roethlisberger has dominated at home, going 5-0 with six touchdown passes, four interceptions and a 101.5 rating.
Hearing the cheers from appreciative Pittsburgh fans after another victory against the Browns has been the norm for the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger.PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Ben Roethlisberger absolutely owned the Browns with a 10-0 record against them until they crushed the Steelers QB with eight sacks in a 13-6 victory in Cleveland last December.
Can the Browns even come close to that performance Sunday in Pittsburgh, where Roethlisberger is coming off his four-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy?
"We'd like to duplicate that if we could," said defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. "That's tough. We're lucky to tackle a guy eight times. I know he hasn't been playing this year but it's unfortunate he had to come back our week. It's great the young man paid his dues and came back to his team. I'm sure they're excited about that and we're looking forward to getting after a good football team and a great player."
In addition to his 10-1 mark against the Browns, Roethlisberger has dominated at home, going 5-0 with six touchdown passes, four interceptions and a 101.5 rating. He's completed 65.6 of his passes (82 of 135).
"Roethlisberger is a fierce competitor and sometimes that gets him in trouble where he'll stay in that pocket and he'll stand up there big and tall and dare somebody to come in there and hit him, but then he'll pump the ball 64 times and then finally throw it," said Ryan. "The guy's phenomenal, the guy's a winner and he came in the league winning and he keeps winning. I know we're going to get their best shot but I know and I really believe they're going to get our best shot too."
The Steelers have relied primarily on their running game while Roethlisberger was out but the Browns aren't expecting that now that he's back.
"This guy is no rookie," Ryan said. "He's been playing a long time, he's been a Pro Bowler for a long time so if they liked something in the passing game, which I'm sure they will, I'm sure they'll be airing it out.
"You can't go to sleep on a Pro Bowl quarterback. They averaged 400 yards a game last year on offense pretty much and I think he had about 500 yards passing the first time they played us. We're ready to go against them we've worked hard and we're looking forward to it."
Roethisberger, a native of Findlay, admitted he struggled against the Browns' multiple looks in December.
"There's a lot of confusion," he said. "They like confusing offenses. They've got guys all over the place. Trying to identify who's a lineman, who's a linebacker, who's a defensive back, a lot of blitzing. It's a very good defense. I don't think they get a lot of the credit they deserve. That's probably what they pride themselves on doing is kind of causing that chaos and getting to the quarterback."
Roethlisberger said he's not sure how emotional the game will be for him, but that he hopes he's warmly received.
"It means a lot," he said. "Second chances are an awesome thing and that's all I've asked for. I want to be a Steeler for life. I love playing for this city and these fans. It's something that's very important to me. I know a lot of people say 'I don't really care about the fans and what people say about me.' Well, I do. I want people to accept me and to embrace me as their quarterback and as a Steeler."
The Browns have no plans to receive him warmly.
"I think he wants to torch us after everything that's gone on," said safety Mike Adams. "But we plan on repeating the success we had against him last time. Maybe even top it. Why not try for 10 sacks this time?"