Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger has fared well vs. blitz, but Ravens biggest challenge yet
For one game, at least, Ben Roethlisberger gets to see what his positional counterparts have faced all season.
A team with a strong pass rush that likes to blitz.
Analytics outlets throughout the season have remarked how much the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens both like to blitz. The Steelers have converted their varied pass rush into NFL highs in sacks and pressure rate that have confounded opposing quarterbacks.
Roethlisberger on Sunday faces a similarly blitz-heavy and quality pass-rushing opponent in the Ravens.
“We are aggressive,“ Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler said of his unit, “but they are probably a little more aggressive than we are.”
Said Roethlisberger: “This is a defense that brings guys from everywhere.”
Good thing Roethlisberger has performed well against the pressure this season. According to Pro Football Focus, Roethlisberger has the sixth-best passer rating (90.7) and fourth-best completion percentage (59.5%) when under pressure this season.
“You’re not going to fool him,” offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said. “You may beat someone individually and get pressure, but as a general rule, there isn’t pressure that puts him in a panic situation.”
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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