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Friday, June 15, 2012

Pittsburgh Steelers: Top 12 Games of Ben Roethlisberger's Career - Bleacher Report

Ben wears No. 7 in honor of his childhood hero, John Elway.

That isn't the only thing they have in common!

No team has suffered more losses or been victimized more frustratingly by Ben's right arm than his AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns.

It continued last season when, despite a low-offensive output, Ben hobbled to two wins against the Browns on a bum ankle.

Whether objectively or because of a perceived handicap, none of the passer's game against the Lake Erie football club made the countdown.

Instead, here's an exclusive list of Big Ben's top five games against a thoroughly defeated enemy:

No. 5: Heinz Field, 2004

Ben was already winning games, but this contest proved to be his "coming out" party, a game and performance that separated No. 7 from his predecessors.  In a 16-for-21 performance that included a touchdown and interception, Ben opened eyes widely when he rolled to his right, nearly scampering all the way to the sideline before spotting Plaxico Burress deep.

Roethlisberger hurled the pass downfield while on the run.  Prowess for throwing while scrambling?  Check.  And double check.

No. 4: Heinz Field, 2010

One season later, the Browns returned for the first game of the '10 NFL season for Roethlisberger.  A great game proved the perfect tonic for fans disenchanted with Ben's offseason conduct.  In all, Roethlisberger completed 16-of-27 for 257 yards and three touchdowns (along with a critical early interception) in a 28-10 victory.

No. 3: Heinz Field, 2009

In his first-ever 400-yard performance, Roethlisberger found Hines Ward early, connecting over the middle on a 52-yard touchdown.  Ward caught eight passes for 159 yards, while Ben finished with two touchdowns and 417 yards in a 27-14 win.

No. 2: Heinz Field, 2007

In the midst of a historic winning streak against their rival, 2007 may have marked the peak of Cleveland frustration against Big Ben.

He may not ever have his absolute best games against them, but his performance always seems to have that winning edge against the Browns.

Trailing 21-9 at halftime, Ben put the Black and Gold on his back and rallied the team to a 31-28 win.

Included in his second half heroics were two touchdown passes, as well as the finest run of his careerâ€"a 30-yard beauty that put Pittsburgh ahead for the first time in the game, 28-24.

No. 1: Cleveland Browns Stadium, 2007

He may not have had his finest completion percentage (12-of-23), a gluttony of yards (161) or the game of his life.  But, from start to finish, anyone who watched knew the numbers weren't indicative of the performance as Big Ben riddled the Browns.

The Steelers led 17-0 when Ben finished the first quarter by spotting Santonio Holmes for a wide open 40-yard touchdown bomb.  Then, two more touchdowns in the third quarter gave Roethlisberger four passing scores on the afternoon.

Pittsburgh won going away, 34-7, a contest that Roethlisberger served notice as being "over" right from the start.

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