The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to dominate the Cleveland Browns in Week 8 as they took down the division rival with ease. Both teams entered the game with records of 5-2, and the win gave the Steelers sole possession of first place in the AFC North heading into the team's bye week in Week 9. Pittsburgh has set itself up for success after going 6-2 through the first eight weeks of the season, and the win on Sunday was the cherry on top to a great first half. The team got the convincing win with legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in attendance, which is a rare, but not unheard of occurrence.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks on before the Steelers play the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium in Week 8.
Roethlisberger joined his former teammates Max Starks and Willie Colon on Wednesday on the Steelers Nation Radio show In The Locker Room, and the three former players broke down the game against the Browns and spoke about how they feel about the Steelers. Roethlisberger seemed to be pretty high on this version of the team, and he spoke highly about the offensive line while also identifying that the team is set up for success due to the favorable bye in Week 9 and the second half of the schedule looking a bit easier than it did before the season began.
Pittsburgh has three games combined against the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles that are now going to be easier as the Eagles have suffered a plethora of injuries, and Lamar Jackson may not be available for the Ravens in those contests after suffering a thumb injury last Sunday.
"Well I'll say a couple things, they don't make them like they used to," Roethlisberger said. "You can't say they're not protecting them. A lot of times, it's just fluky, like who could have predicted the [Jalen] Hurts thing and clots. That's just so crazy, and Lamar hitting the thumb."
Roethlisberger was joking about quarterbacks not being as tough as they used to be when it comes to Jalen Hurts and Jackson. Those are two serious injuries, especially Hurts' injury as he is dealing with blood clots which could be extremely scary. Jackson also clearly hurt his thumb in a unique way. Roethlisberger's comment was likely more directed towards the quarterbacks that seem to always be dealing with minor injuries.
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Former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger holds a Terrible Towel during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, PA.
Roethlisberger spoke more about how quarterbacks are more protected than ever. It seems like every single week, there is a roughing the passer call that goes viral because of how ridiculous it is. That was not the case near the start of Roethlisberger's time in the NFL, and he is often remembered for his toughness on the field as he played through a number of injuries throughout his storied career in Pittsburgh.
Again, there are serious injuries that occur throughout the NFL, and those are not the ones that the former quarterback is referring to. He is talking about quarterbacks that stay on the ground for longer than they need to in an effort to draw a call, and he is talking about minor injuries that every player used to be able to play through.
Steelers Have Benefited From Some Schedule Luck
Aside from throwing a little bit of shade at today's quarterbacks, Roethlisberger spoke about how the second half of the schedule is set up perfectly for Pittsburgh. This stretch of games was always going to be harder for the Steelers, but both of those games against the Ravens and the game against the Eagles should be easier now. The Carolina Panthers also look like they might be an easier opponent than initially thought.
Pittsburgh also saw some luck with their games against the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both of those teams' starting quarterbacks were out for their games, and the Steelers got to go against undrafted backups in those matchups -- both of which resulted in a win.
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