Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has owned the Cleveland Browns during his 18-year NFL career.
The 39-year-old has a 25-3-1 career record against the Browns, including the playoffs.
The Steelers (7-7-1) and Browns (7-8) both need a win on Monday Night Football to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Considering the end is near for Roethlisberger, he has the opportunity to bury the Browns one final time.
Roethlisberger is in the final year of his existing contract.
A report surfaced earlier this season that the 2021 season would be Big Ben’s last.
Ben Roethlisberger privately has told former teammates and some within the organization that he expects this to be his final season playing quarterback for the Steelers, league sources told ESPN.
More coming ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, with a special start time at 9 am ET.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2021
Monday night is likely Roethlisberger’s final time playing the Browns.
As a starter, Roethlisberger is 12-1 all-time against the Browns at Heinz Field.
Last season’s 48-37 playoff loss to the Browns marked Roethlisberger’s only home loss against Cleveland.
Roethlisberger’s 91 wins at Heinz Field are 82 more than the next closest quarterback.
Former Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart had nine wins at Heinz Field, which opened in August 2001.
Big Ben has also dominated on the road against the Browns.
In 2017, Roethlisberger had surpassed former Browns quarterback Derek Anderson’s record for most wins at FirstEnergy Stadium.
It wasn’t until November 2020 when Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield surpassed him for most career wins at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.
Most career wins at FirstEnergy Stadium as of this week:
- Baker Mayfield: 18
- Ben Roethlisberger: 12
Including the playoffs, Roethlisberger has thrown for 7,274 yards and 46 touchdowns against the Browns in his career along with 26 interceptions.
Ben Roethlisberger on the Steelers-Browns rivalry continuing to evolve now that it’s not quite so one-sided.
“We’re always going to be rivals and it’s always going to be great games.
“I’m glad that I’m not the most winning quarterback in their stadium history anymore.” pic.twitter.com/BZDhOQVB1B
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 27, 2021
Steelers’ Path To The Playoffs
To win the AFC North, the Steelers would need to win their final two regular-season games, on Monday Night Football against the Browns at Heinz Field and in Week 18 at M&T Bank against the Baltimore Ravens.
Also, the Steelers would need the Cincinnati Bengals to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Browns.
However, if the Steelers finish with a 9-7-1 record, they would get in over any 9-8 AFC team.
It means the Steelers would need one loss each from the Miami Dolphins (8-7), Los Angeles Chargers (8-7), and Las Vegas Raiders (8-7).
FiveThirtyEight’s Elo forecast gives the Steelers about a 12 percent chance to make the playoffs, and a 6 percent chance to win the division.
The New York Times’ playoff predictor gives the Steelers a 14 percent to make the postseason, and a 7 percent chance to win the division.
Browns’ Path To The Playoffs
To win the AFC North, the Browns would need to win their final two regular-season games: on Monday Night Football against the Steelers at Heinz Field and in Week 18 at FirstEnergy Stadium against the Bengals.
In addition to winning their final two games, the Browns would need the following to happen:
- The Bengals to lose their Week 17 game against the Chiefs
- The Ravens to lose one of their final two games: January 2 at home against the Los Angeles Rams (11-4) or on January 9 at home against the Steelers.
FiveThirtyEight’s Elo forecast gives the Browns about an 11 percent chance to make the playoffs, and an 11 percent chance to win the division.
The New York Times’ playoff predictor gives the Browns a 14 percent to make the postseason, and a 13 percent chance to win the division.
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