Legendary Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Reveals How Close He Is To Panicking Following Week 3 Win

The Pittsburgh Steelers left Foxborough on Sunday with a win against the New England Patriots following a hard fought back and forth matchup. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled throughout the game, as the veteran quarterback found himself playing at an underwhelming level for the second week in a row. Pittsburgh's defense was able to perform at an elite level by forcing five turnovers, despite giving up massive yardage on possession downs. Cam Heyward and rookie Derrick Harmon were able to thrive during all four quarters of Sunday's matchup, and that's something the defensive line will need more of moving forward for this team to be more successful.

The Steelers' offensive struggles over the past two weeks are concerning. Rodgers has struggled immensely since his elite performance in Week 1, as the four-time MVP was credited with just 139 yards, two touchdowns and an interception during Sunday's road victory. Former Steelers legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recently shared his thoughts on how Pittsburgh has performed throughout the first three weeks of the season, as Roethlisberger revealed exactly how close he is to hitting the panic button.

"A win's a win, we can keep saying it," Roethlisberger stated. "But my hand when it comes to O-line play is sitting right on the top of that glass case of the panic button. Just touching the top. That's a cause for concern, and again, it kind of leads to the offense all in all."

Roethlisberger then continued to talk about the Steelers' hot offensive start in New England, as Pittsburgh was able to jump ahead to an early 14-0 lead and seemed to be in full control throughout the early stages of the afternoon.

"The offense looked great [on the opening possession], they might lead the league in scoring on opening possessions [this season]," Roethlisberger claimed. "You go down and score on the opening possession, that's awesome. They got a 14-0 lead, this is going to be a blowout. Then all of a sudden it starts to settle in, and it's just like, what are we doing?"

Both Rodgers and the offensive line have struggled over the past two weeks. Rodgers was unable to connect with superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf on a regular basis as well, as the star receiver had just four targets throughout the entirety of the afternoon. Led by tackles Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones, the Steelers' offensive line will need to play at a much higher level for the remainder of the season, as limiting the number of hits Rodgers takes will be absolutely crucial.

The offensive line will be a key factor in Week 4's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Rodgers is in his 21st NFL season and will need to limit the amount of hits he takes at this point in his career as much as possible. The veteran quarterback could quickly begin playing at a higher level with additional protection, as Fautanu and the rest of the Steelers' offensive line could continue to improve as the season rolls on.

Steelers' Offense Looking To Rebound In Ireland

Rodgers' level of play on Sunday could be a direct result of how the offensive line performs. Both Jones and Fautanu will be slated with key roles in protecting the 41 year old quarterback, as one big hit could result in the end of Rodgers' legendary career. Rodgers will look to play like the Week 1 version of himself we saw in New Jersey throughout Sunday's game overseas, as the offensive line will continue to be a major factor against the Vikings in Ireland.

Roethlisberger's comments are understandable. Rodgers looked nothing short of elite in Week 1 against his former team, but the veteran has struggled since Pittsburgh's clash with the New York Jets. Rodgers and the rest of the Steelers' offense will look to play at a much higher level during Week 4's matchup against the Vikings, as the offensive line is expected to play a massive role in the veteran quarterback's success moving forward.

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