PITTSBURGH — Alex Rodriguez. Joey Porter. Clay Bennett.
The list of hated sports figures in the city of Seattle is rather short but ready to add another name.
Ben Roethlisberger.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback broke Seattle’s hearts again on Sunday afternoon, turning in one of the most impressive performances of his young career in a 21-0 win.
Roethlisberger avoided pass rushers, converted third downs, and made just about every clutch throw in helping hand the Seahawks’ their worst loss of the season. The same Ben Roethlisberger that frustrated Seattle with a phantom touchdown in Super Bowl XL was in much better form this time around.
“He made a lot of plays on third downs that kept those drives going,” Seahawks safety Brian Russell said. “He’s a very good quarterback.”
Roethlisberger completed 18 of 22 passes for 206 yards Sunday, giving him a season-best passer rating of 120.8.
“I thought he played a very fine game,” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. “I thought he was very good with his throws. He buys himself a lot of time in the pocket because he’s so big and strong.”
Seattle defensive tackle Craig Terrill saw that first-hand, getting his hands on Roethlisberger for two near tackles only to see the 6-foot-5, 241-pound quarterback slip away.
“He’s just good at avoiding people,” Terrill said. “He’s a big guy, and I didn’t get enough of a wrap on him or a good enough hit on him. Those are the ones you really regret.”
Roethlisberger completed all nine of his second-half passes, accounting for 118 of his passing yards.
This despite playing without starting receivers Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, who were both out with injuries.
“Anytime Ben Roethlisberger’s back there, you’ve got to be ready for him to throw the ball on the money,” Seattle’s Russell said. “Anybody who steps on the field as an NFL receiver, you’ve got to be ready for them.”
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