A virtual lock? Ben Roethlisberger has owned the Bengals during his career

In Ben Roethlisberger’s 17-year career, he’s played no other opponent more than the Cincinnati Bengals. In 32 meetings since his 2004 rookie season, the Steelers are 25-7. Since Roethlisberger didn’t face the Bengals last season because of his elbow injury, his personal record is 23-7.

Here are the seven losses under Big Ben since 2004:

• Dec. 4, 2005: 38-31

• Sept. 24, 2006: 28-20

• Sept. 27, 2009: 23-20

• Nov. 15, 2009: 18-12

• Dec. 23, 2012: 13-10

• Sept. 16, 2013: 20-10

• Nov. 1, 2015: 16-10

Losing your star quarterback to the reserve/COVID-19 list during the week of preparation for a critical divisional game is less than ideal. Unless that quarterback is Ben Roethlisberger and his record against said divisional opponent is 23-7.

“[Roethlisberger has] been great because obviously, he’s accessible. He’s got plenty of free time,” said offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner about needing to work remotely. “We’re probably the ones that have to make the time to be able to fit. I know Coach [Matt] Canada, they do the Zoom. We do the 360. We do all those important things. Ben likes the tech, so we get texts in the night. We go back and forth about a lot of things. We get to watch the video as a group on Zoom and things like that. It’s been as if he’s been in the room.”

Though Roethlisberger has not taken a snap during practice this week, we’re confident it won’t show on the field come game time.

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