Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger throws helmet in ring for MVP

Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

The Steelers honored Joe Greene in more ways than retiring his jersey at halftime. Their offense even treated their greatest defensive player to something never seen before. Ben Roethlisberger passed for six more touchdowns, matching the six he threw the previous week against the Indianapolis Colts and making him the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for 12 touchdowns over two consecutive games.

There is an alarming trend developing. For the second week in a row, Ben Roethlisberger has gotten an A+. Last week, the QBR was 150.6. This week against the Baltimore Ravens, it was 136.3. 25 completions in 37 attempts for 340 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions moves the Pittsburgh record to 6-3. Ben got revenge for a 26-6 loss on September 11th to the Baltimore Ravens. He was also part of a recording breaking performance by first year wideout, Martavis Bryant. Martavis tied an NFL record for most receiving touchdowns (5) in the first three games of a NFL career.

This recent hot streak has moved Ben Roethlisberger into third place with a QBR of 110.6 for the season. Ben trails Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers at 113.6 and Denver's Peyton Manning at 112.0. Tom Brady of New England is at 103.5, and rising.

Following three consecutive home wins over Houston, Indianapolis and Baltimore, the Steelers go on the road for a matchup with the 1-8 New York Jets. The Jets allow a league worst 28 points per game. With 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions in the past three games, New York head coach, Rex Ryan may have his hands full trying to stop the vaunted Steelers passing attack.

The loss of talented WR Emmanuel Sanders to the Denver Broncos has not affected Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger. Ben has thrown 22 touchdowns and only three interceptions in his 11th NFL season. WR Antonio Brown has already caught 71 passes and eight touchdowns through Week 9 from Roethlisberger. His name will be in the MVP discussion as well.

Frank Schwab, Yahoo:

So if Roethlisberger shows up in MVP buzz this week, it wouldn't surprise me much. If his incredibly torrid pace lingers on for another few weeks, he might actually win it too.

Being mentioned in the same category with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady isn't too shabby. Winning the MVP may require six touchdowns a week for the rest of the season.


Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.

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