How The Ravens Watched Big Ben’s Career Come Full Circle In Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens watched their longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger return to the team and celebrate his first victory in his hometown of Pittsburgh. For a long time Big Ben was regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history but after not playing for nearly three years he has seen his legacy come full circle with him winning again on Sunday night.

The “big ben nfl ” is a story about how the Ravens watched Big Ben’s career come full circle in Baltimore. The article discusses how the Steelers, who drafted him in the first round of 2006, traded him to the Ravens in 2010.

BALTIMORE — On Sept. 19, 2004, a lean, clean-shaven Ben Roethlisberger came off the Pittsburgh Steelers bench at M&T Bank Stadium, making an impromptu NFL debut with no idea of what his future held. Eighteen years later, a more rugged and grizzled Roethlisberger is set to play his final game at quarterback on the same field, the home of what became his fiercest rival (1 p.m. ET, CBS).

Roethlisberger’s career will come full circle — a vicious circle, by Ravens-Steelers standards — and finish off a crucial chapter in one of football’s greatest rivalries if the Steelers n’t make the playoffs.

Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs stated, “It’s sort of Shakespearean,” before adding, “but I believe it’d only be proper if we win.”

Here’s how the playoff bracket currently stands, as well as the possible outcomes. • Playoff picture and potential clinchers « • ESPN’s NFL Playoff Machine is interactive » • Football Power Index » | Standings

Even as Big Ben prepares to take his final bow, current and former Ravens still are eager for the team to get one last shot at the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback. Suggs is attending his first game at M&T Bank Stadium since last playing there in 2019 just so he can see Roethlisberger’s farewell game.

Roethlisberger has defeated the Ravens more times than anybody else. He has a total of 18 wins versus them, including postseason games, which is seven more than any other quarterback.

The Ravens are the team that has pounded Roethlisberger to the ground the most. Roethlisberger has been sacked 76 times by the Ravens, which is 12 more than any other club.

Roethlisberger’s exit marks the last of the old-school players to leave from the rivalry, which no longer includes the likes of Hines Ward, Ray Lewis, Troy Polamalu, and Suggs. Without Roethlisberger, future Ravens-Steelers games will have a different feel to them.

“We used to often remark in our [defensive meeting] room, ‘This guy is not just a quarterback, he is a football player,’” Lewis added. “He’s also a backyard football player. If you ask Ben when he retires if he wants to put on a Steeler jersey and I want to put on a Ravens shirt and go back in the backyard, he’ll say, ‘I’m down for that.’ I’m going to be in a lot of pain. I’m going to look it over.’”

Roethlisberger’s significance in the Ravens-Steelers rivalry is examined via the views of previous Ravens who faced him:

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Ngata: I’m Ngata “Ben is just behind the guard as I go past my guard. So I’m like, just come down as hard as you can, as quickly as you can, and try to knock him out. It was an accident, and [my left hand] slammed into him perfectly between the face mask and shattered his nose. However, I had no idea. ‘Hey, Haloti broke Ben’s nose,’ one of our men from up [in the booth] remarked as we approached the sideline. Because it was such a fast snap, I don’t recall even coming near to his head.”

‘Scott,’ I say “With all the unusual blitzes we’ve brought to him, you speak about being able to gaze down the barrel of the pistol. I recall gazing at his nose and thinking it looked like a S. He did nothing except stuff tissue up his nose. The suffering endured by this guy is legendary.”

On December 5, 2010, Roethlisberger walks off the field with a towel over his nose, which had just been broken by Haloti Ngata on the game’s opening drive. That day, Roethlisberger would lead the Steelers to victory. Getty Images/Rob Tringali/SportsChrome

The reversals

With 2:51 remaining in the game, Roethlisberger led the winning drive with a broken nose, tossing a nine-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Redman. Ten of Roethlisberger’s 52 touchdown drives have come against the Ravens.

Ngata: I’m Ngata “I’m amazed there haven’t been more comebacks. In a number of those contests, he got the final laugh. I swear, I’d glance up [as games drew to a close] and see that there was still a minute and 12 seconds remaining. ‘Oh my, that’s a lot of time for Ben,’ I’m thinking.”

“I recall gazing at his nose and thinking it looked like a S. He did nothing except stuff tissue up his nose. The suffering endured by this guy is legendary.” Scott, Bart

‘Scott,’ I say “When you think of a strong person, you think of his physical strength, but not his mental toughness. How many teams can claim, “Hey, when Ben Roethlisberger went into no-huddle mode and started calling his own plays, that’s when we became scared.” That’s when we start to feel anxious.’”

Suggestions: “He’s one of those unique players who not only increased the quality of those around him, but also of those who played against him. You couldn’t possibly play a horrible game and expect to win against him. You couldn’t make errors and expect to come out on top. He was always going to be competitive and attempt to make a play. That’s what he’ll be remembered for.”

No quarterback has more victories against the Ravens than Ben Roethlisberger, who has 18 victories over the team, including postseason victories. That’s seven more than any other quarterback in the league. USA Today Sports’ Philip G. Pavely

The ‘appropriate’ send-off

The Steelers’ chances of making the playoffs are slim. Pittsburgh needs the Colts to lose against the Jaguars and the Raiders and Chargers to not tie in addition to winning at Baltimore. If the Steelers don’t make the playoffs, this game will be the last chapter in Roethlisberger’s legendary career, which includes 164 wins, 63,844 passing yards, and 164 touchdown passes (417). And he’d take his last picture in the exact area where he’d taken his first.

Ngata: I’m Ngata “That would be fantastic, particularly if we won. Isn’t it better to send him go with a loss? There’s no better way to send out your rival quarterback than to lose his last regular-season game in Baltimore. That’ll be a fantastic conclusion.”

‘Scott,’ I say “I’m hoping that’s where his career ends. I’m hoping that’s an exclamation point. His career started there, with us assisting him by knocking out Tommy Maddox, and it should ideally conclude there as well. His career should come to an end there, and he should be fired for it.”

Lewis: I’m not sure “Baltimore would have been the best opponent he could have faced last. And I assure you that if you asked him about the cast or the players on the opposite side of that, he’d say, ‘Give me Sizzle [Suggs], give me Ray, give me that bunch one more time.’ I’d want to dance with the group once again.’ But, now that he’s in Baltimore, let me say this: I hope he doesn’t end up the way he wants to end up.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times has Raven beat Big Ben?

A: Raven has beat Big Ben 3 times, and he is currently 10-0 against him.

Where does Big Ben rank all-time?

A: Big Ben is the name of a prominent tower clock in London, England. It ranks number 58 on the top 100 tallest buildings list at 2263 feet tall.

What NFL records does Big Ben have?

A: Big Ben currently has the following records in NFL history:
-Most consecutive starts by an offensive lineman at 208
-Best single game completion percentage for a quarterback (min. 5 attempts) 70% vs Detroit Lions on 11/6/07