Nov 8, 2014 4 min read

With 12 touchdown passes the past two games, Ben Roethlisberger has had the most prolific two-week stretch of any quarterback in NFL history.

It’s caused people outside of Pittsburgh to finally recognized that the two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback is pretty good and important to what the Steelers do.

That’s something of a change for Roethlisberger, who early in his career was labeled a “game manager” on some good teams. He’s had a heck of a time shaking that tag.

But Roethlisberger has been much more than a game manager throughout his career. He just didn’t put up the video-game-like numbers he’s currently providing because the Steelers never asked him to do as much.

The Steelers were always more comfortable to win a game, say, 24-17, than they were 43-23 as they did last week against Baltimore.

Roethlisberger was always capable of playing as he is now.

That the Steelers are now permitting him to do so represents a change in philosophy that stems back to the team’s worst loss of the season. No, not the 31-10 loss at Cleveland. The game in question was a 27-24 defeat at home to Tampa Bay.

Faced with a critical third down late in that game, the Steelers chose to attempt a running play to force the Bucs to use another timeout. They didn’t convert the third down and punted back to Tampa Bay, which promptly scored the game-winning touchdown.

Now, the Steelers are playing with a killer instinct at the end of games. Witness the past two weeks when Roethlisberger has thrown touchdown passes late in the fourth quarter against Indianapolis and Baltimore.

They weren’t necessary touchdowns, but they assured that neither the Colts or Ravens would have a chance of a comeback.

It’s a page right out of the playbooks of New England, New Orleans, Green Bay and even Denver now that the Broncos have Peyton Manning.

Score, and keep scoring, until the game is over.

And it’s allowed Roethlisberger to put up some gaudy numbers.

It’s also helped cover for a defense that isn’t going to be considered among the league’s best, but is now creating turnovers, in part, because it’s now attacking, just like the offense.

That brings us to this week’s matchup with the New York Jets.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has stressed that the Jets are better than their 1-8 record. He’s stressed that the Jets are where they are because they’ve turned the ball over 18 times while forcing just three turnovers.

New York has talent. And, as the their defense’s 25 sacks would attest, the Jets can harry opposing quarterbacks while also making life tough on running backs.

But the secondary is awful, having allowed 24 touchdown passes and intercepting one pass. The league record for TD passes allowed in a season is 40 by Denver in 1963 and the Jets are well on their way to shattering that mark.

It doesn’t seem like a fair matchup against Roethlisberger.

The Steelers are 5-point favorites to win and they should cover that spread, though New York’s running game will keep them from putting up a third-consecutive 40-plus point game.

Take the Steelers, 27-17

Detroit gets Calvin Johnson back today.

Take Detroit, 24-20

A pair of teams in the playoff hunt.

Take Kansas City, 23-17

Manning and Co. will be upset after losing at New England.

Take Denver, 37-20

The Saints at home are a tall task for any team.

Take New Orleans, 30-24

The Packers trounced the Bears, 38-17, in Chicago.

Take Green Bay, 41-24

I’m not buying Mark Sanchez just yet.

Take Carolina to cover in a 24-20 loss

This is the kind of game the Ravens dominate.

Take Baltimore, 31-13

St. Louis has knocked off Seattle and San Francisco. Not another upset.

Take Arizona, 24-16

Seahawks feasted on Peyton Manning at home earlier this season, and now they get to beat up little brother Eli.

Take Seattle, 34-17

Falcons destroyed Tampa Bay, 56-14, in Week 3 and haven’t won since.

Take Atlanta, 23-21

Nothing like a trip to London for Tony Romo’s cranky back. He didn’t fly there not to play.

Take Dallas, 24-16

Last Week: 6-6 ATS; 9-3 Straight up

Overall: 60-64-1 ATS; 78-47 Straight up

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.