Dec 9, 2015 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Since Ben Roethlisberger returned from a knee injury that sidelined him for four games, the quarterback has been almost unstoppable.

In the past four games, Roethlisberger has thrown for more than 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the Steelers to a 3-1 record.

The first game Roethlisberger played after returning from injury was against the Cincinnati Bengals. He threw for just 262 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in a 16-10 loss to the Bengals.

It’s the only game this season that Roethlisberger has finished and been held to less than 300 passing yards.

The loss dropped Roethlisberger’s career record in games when he returns from injury to 2-5. But Roethlibserger doesn’t believe going a month without playing was an issue against Cincinnati.

“I’ll never use that as an excuse,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday. “I think I played bad football. Hopefully, I can play better this time.”

This time will be Sunday when the Steelers (7-5) play at Cincinnati for their rematch with the Bengals (10-2).

Ccincinnati can clinch the AFC North title with a win. The Bengals know that slowing Roethlisberger a second time will not be an easy task.

“We were fortunate to do it,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, a McDonald native. “We’ve have to work hard on taking care of things again and executing our game plan.”

The Bengals had a solid game plan against the Steelers last month, doubling wide receivers Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant and forcing Roethlisberger to throw passes over the middle. Brown caught only six passes for 47 yards and a touchdown while Bryant was limited to four for 49. Roethlisberger, whose 8.88 yards per pass attempt leads the NFL, failed to complete a single pass that traveled more than 20 yards. He attempted eight.

Two of the long passes resulted in interceptions, while another interception came 17 yards downfield. The Bengals often used only four pass-rushers.

The Bengals’ game plan allowed tight end Heath Miller to catch 10 passes for 105 yards but limited the Steelers to 10 points.

The Steelers are expecting a similar defensive scheme.

“They won the last game, so we’ve got to be prepared to see it again,” said Miller, who sat out the win against Indianapolis with a rib injury.

What might change things is how the Steelers have played since losing to the Bengals.

Pittsburgh has averaged 35.8 points since that game and has the No. 1 offense in the AFC at 409 yards per game.

Roethlisberger has regained his pre-injury form with 350 passing yards in each of the last four games. Four times the Steelers have had a wide receiver with at least 175 receiving yards – something that has been done just seven times in the league – and running back DeAngelo Williams is averaging 137 yards from scrimmage over the past four games, which gives Pittsburgh’s offense the look of being unstoppable.

“(Roethlisberger) has had some really amazing games,” said Steelers backup center Doug Legursky. “He has those games where he just takes over. It’s hard to find a weak spot (on this offense). Our wide receivers are doing an amazing job. Our running backs, offensive line and the guys who have had to step in have been great. But there isn’t a better quarterback to lead us onto the field every game.”

Brown was fined nearly $12,000 by the NFL for using the goal post as a prop following his punt return for a touchdown Sunday against Indianapolis. … Steelers have allowed 15 first downs via penalty, the fewest in the AFC. Only Green Bay (14) has allowed fewer in the NFL. … Pittsburgh and Arizona are the only teams in the NFL to rank in the top 10 in both rushing and passing offense. … Miller (rib), cornerback William Gay (concussion), tight ends Matt Spaeth (knee) and wide receiver Sammie Coates (illness) did not practice for the Steelers Wednesday. Gay, however, said he has been cleared of a concussion. … Tight end Tyler Eifert, who missed Cincinnati’s game last week at Cleveland with a neck injury, returned to practice Wednesday. Starting corner Leon Hall (back) and safety George Iloka (groin) did not practice.