An angry Ben will play well enough to cover
Anyone who was in the locker room listening to Ben Roethlisberger’s statements following the Steelers’ 30-9 loss last week to Jacksonville knew he was more defiant than resigned when he said, “maybe he just didn’t have it anymore.”
To some, it appeared Roethlisberger was indicating that perhaps he was done.
If you have spent any time around him, you know he is prone to flippant statements like that, especially after a loss. And you don’t read too much into them.
That should have been the case when, two questions later, Roethlisberger said there was no player in their locker room who had any doubts about their talent. That quote, however, didn’t have the legs of the previous one, causing a number of national carnival barkers masquerading as sports analysts to rip the Steelers quarterback.
Roethlisberger fired back this week.
“It’s fine. They can question,” Roethlisberger said. “I don’t question myself. The ones that are close to me don’t question me. That’s what matters.
“No offense to any of you guys but it really doesn’t matter to me how you guys question me or not. Quote, unquote professional talking heads on the other sports networks that are out there that are supposedly experts and stuff like that.”
So right now, Roethlisberger is feeling cornered. And that can make him dangerous on the field.
That’s why Roethlisberger should be expected to come out and play his best today when the Steelers visit Kansas City.
It might not be enough to win because the Chiefs are playing at a high level. They haven’t turned the ball over since their first offensive play of this season, a span of 311 straight. They are leading the league in scoring. They are the NFL’s last remaining unbeaten team.
It’s why they are 5-point favorites to win this game.
This against a team the Steelers beat twice last season and have beaten four of the past five times they have met, with the only loss coming when Landry Jones started.
The Chiefs are 27-6, including the playoffs, since that victory, with two of those losses coming to the Steelers.
The Steelers will show up and play well in this game, even if that doesn’t add up to a victory in what is one of the league’s toughest venues to play.
Take the Steelers to cover in a 24-23 loss
The Ravens should make hay against rookie QB Mitch Trubisky.
Take Baltimore, 23-6
The Patriots have a couple of early losses. The Jets have won three in a row.
Take New England, 43-20
Patrick Peterson vs. Mike Evans is worth the price of admission. Something tells me the Cards win here.
Take Arizona, 23-20
So much for my preseason pick of the Giants in the Super Bowl. Toilet bowl is more like it.
Take Denver, 27-7
Packers should handle business on the road. But it will be close.
Take Minnesota to cover in a 27-24 loss
The Texans have settled on a quarterback. The Browns are playing duck, duck, goose at the position.
Take Houston, 26-13
Jaguars defense will give Jared Goff fits throwing the ball.
Take Jacksonville, 24-17
Matthew Stafford is a little banged up.
Take New Orleans, 36-30
Falcons are coming off a bye. The Dolphins just fired their offensive line coach for snorting lines of powder on video.
Take Atlanta, 37-17
49ers played in Indianapolis last week and on the road again this week in Washington.
Take Washington, 30-16
Raiders should get Derek Carr back for this one.
Take Oakland, 27-23
This will be a heck of a Monday night came if Andrew Luck and Marcus Mariota don’t play.
Take Tennessee, 17-13
Last week: 7-6 ATS; 6-7 Straight up
Overall: 36-37 ATS; 46-28 Straight up
Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.