FLOWERY BRANCH – Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who's set to face the Falcons at 1p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome, spoke to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday.
Roethlisberger is closing in on several franchise records this season. He has 29 touchdown passes (32, which he set in 2007), 4,055 yards passing (4,328, in 2009), 339 completions (375, 2013).
Here’s what he had to say:
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Q: How was it to win your AFC North showdown with Cincinnati last week?
A: That was a good defense that we faced. It was kind of like a heavyweight fight. You have to feel each other out early and we just made a couple of big plays, took advantage of turnovers and didn't turn the ball over ourselves.
Q: Will that help you all take control of the AFC North?
A: It's big. All these games, for us, are the biggest games of the season. We have to win them all. We knew that was a big one against an AFC North opponent.
Q: Do things really crank up with December football?
A: Absolutely. I've been playing in this league 11 seasons and have been to some postseasons. This time of year, it's always the intense. Everyone ratchet it ups a little bit. We must have that sense of urgency and start playing our best football.
Q: How do the Steelers plan to become more consistent down the stretch?
A: Like you said, it's December football. We have no choice, but to come out and try to play our best football. We know it's going to be a hostile environment. They are great on their turf. It doesn't get any easier. We have to put it all together and play our best football.
Q: How has Le’Veon Bell been playing for the Steelers?
A: L. Bell is a workhorse. He's a great football player. He puts the work, time and effort in. Everyone is starting to see all of the work and effort really starting to pay off for him. He's really a great football player.
Q: What’s been the key in the development of wide receiver Antonio Brown?
A: He's a guy that is just a nonstop worker. He's like the energizer bunny. He just goes and goes. For a No. 1 receiver, he's tireless in his work ethic. He wants to be great. He wants to be the best and I think it shows on the football field.
Q: How has your season been going for you?
A: For me it's never been about stats. I've done this a long time. For me, it's about wins and losses. I don't care how it gets done as long as I win. That's what this week is about, trying to find a way to win.
Q: What do you see in the Falcons defense, which is ranked 32nd in the league?
A: Numbers. We're not numbers guys. In this league, any given Sunday . . .it doesn't matter what the stats are. It doesn't matter what the numbers are. We know a good defense when we see it. It's a really good defense. It's as big of challenge for us as we've had all year. We are going on the road to a tough place to play, a place where I've never won. This is a big game for us.
Q: What do you see that tells you the Falcons have a good defense?
A: They are very opportunistic. They turn the ball over a lot. It's not just the easy one. If a ball bounces up, they'll dive and get a hand under it. They just make plays. They have a lot of high motor guys getting after the quarterback. They never back down and they are relentless all game. They are an opportunistic defense that gets after the quarterback.
Q: Does the play of cornerback Desmond Trufant jump out at you?
A: He's having a great year. You can't always expect that from a second year guy. The way he's playing, he's really shooting his way up the corner elites in this league with the way he's playing football right now. We're definitely going to have to know where he is. We are going to have our hands full with him on Sunday.
FALCONS FAN MAILBAG: We take your questions from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
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