According to the data compiled last season by Pro Football Focus, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was the best in the league when it came to making plays while under pressure.
According to PFF, Roethlisberger threw 11 touchdowns against one interception while under pressure last season.
What’s also enlightening about the PFF study is the fact that Roethlisberger was only under pressure 27.9% of the time last season. Of those quarterbacks who had enough snaps to qualify, there were only four others in the league who had a lower “under pressure” percentage than Roethlisberger. That’s a testament to not only the play of the Steelers offensive line last season, but also the fact that Roethlisberger did a great job of getting the ball out quicker.
Early in his career Roethlisberger was criticized heavily for holding on to the football too long, but that has all changed now over the course of the last few seasons and especially since Todd Haley was hired to be the team’s offensive coordinator.
During his talk with the media Wednesday, center Maurkice Pouncey was asked about the sacks being down last year and he made sure to praise Roethlisberger’s play as a reason as to why that was.
“I think we just did a good job of blocking and Ben did a good job of getting the ball out,” said Pouncey. “The backs blocked really, really well last year and hopefully we can stay on the same track and keep him upright. He got paid again.”
The Steelers offense could be headed for another monster season in 2015 and that will only happen as long as Roethlisberger stays upright and healthy. They certainly have the weapons on that side of the ball and a quarterback that can now really play any style of football that’s needed to win.
