Steelers are expected to hold Ben and Bell out vs. Browns

[DP39]

The Steelers are expected to hold Ben Roethlisberger and Le'Veon Bell out for Sunday's finale.

The word came from teammate Marcus Gilbert in a Thursday radio interview. The Steelers apparently don't expect the Jets to give the Patriots a game, which would be the only way Pittsburgh could improve from the No. 2 seed. It also means the 0-15 Browns will have a much greater shot at avoiding 0-16. Landry Jones will be under center for Pittsburgh. 35-year-old Roethlisberger will be working on two weeks rest in the Divisional Round.

Source: Joe Rutter on Twitter Dec 28 - 4:12 PM

[Minkah'n History]

I don’t like it.

I could see LB with his heavy workload and injury history, in fact I love THAT move but Ben, he should at least play the first half. 3 weeks without the big guy playing at game speed? Not a fan

[swissvale72]

I don’t like it.

I could see LB with his heavy workload and injury history, in fact I love THAT move but Ben, he should at least play the first half. 3 weeks without the big guy playing at game speed? Not a fan

I tend to agree. I definitely sit Bell, given he's being hit on every carry. I think Ben, at his position, is better able to avoid injury...play him a half.

[Donnie Brasco]

I don’t like it.

I could see LB with his heavy workload and injury history, in fact I love THAT move but Ben, he should at least play the first half. 3 weeks without the big guy playing at game speed? Not a fan

I tend to agree. I definitely sit Bell, given he's being hit on every carry. I think Ben, at his position, is better able to avoid injury...play him a half.

THIS

Bell needs to be held out at all costs

[Obviously]

Wow! I get the injury history with Ben and Bell, but there is a chance that the Steelers get home field advantage. Imagine if the Pats lose, and then Landry tosses a pick-6 to give Cleveland the win.

[TTP]

I can see the arguments either way but I'd be inclined to play to win.

What happens if the Jets are up on the Pats late (or even halftime) and the Steelers are behind? Does Ben enter to try to win the game assuming he's in uniform?

[Kodiak]

I wonder if the Jets are giving NE a game if Ben wouldn't relieve Laundry.

Otherwise, I tend to agree with having a week off that Ben should play a half. But can you really risk Ben getting hurt (sometimes the guy just can't help himself trying to extend a play)? Very low chance NE loses to the Jets, and PIT can beat NE with Laundry.

But I definitely lean toward playing Ben a half, and then see what kind of game NE is having. The flipside is if Ben got dinged and had to miss a few series in a playoff game, the reps here for Laundry could be critical.

[TTP]

FWIW, it's being reported the Gilbert is the one who spilled the beans about BR and LB not playing. However, Gilbert is denying that he said it. So....you know. Steelers shit.

[steelsmitty]

I'm fine sitting bell. Give him two weeks off to rest up. I'd prefer to play ben for a half to keep him sharp. Granted it's usually due to injury but he's had issues after sitting for an extended period of time

[swissvale72]

I wonder if the Jets are giving NE a game if Ben wouldn't relieve Laundry.

Otherwise, I tend to agree with having a week off that Ben should play a half. But can you really risk Ben getting hurt (sometimes the guy just can't help himself trying to extend a play)? Very low chance NE loses to the Jets, and PIT can beat NE with Laundry.

But I definitely lean toward playing Ben a half, and then see what kind of game NE is having. The flipside is if Ben got dinged and had to miss a few series in a playoff game, the reps here for Laundry could be critical.

That's what I think should happen. It sounds like ass-backwards thinking, but go in assuming Patriots will win. If it looks like they could lose, then play Ben...AND maybe Bell. Sounds like Pouncey might sit as well.

[Stillchest]

Ben needs another half to develop more rapport with the WR's, not named Antonio Brown.

Resting Ben for nearly three weeks is a mistake, by an ultra conservative coaching staff.

[Minkah'n History]

Ben needs another half to develop more rapport with the WR's, not named Antonio Brown.

Resting Ben for nearly three weeks is a mistake, by an ultra conservative coaching staff.

Yes. Great point about the WR group.

[SOCALSTEEL]

Sit em!
I don’t want to watch another playoff game without a Killer B.
We are not even sure AB will be back 100%

Patriots are not going to lose to Bryce Petty.

I can live with a playoff loss from being rusty.
I can’t live with a playoff loss from Ben or Bell being injured or banged up from playing in a meaningless game.

[jeemie]

Big mistake.

I seriously do not understand our coaches' thinking at times.

[Steelperch]

Right call on Bell. We’ve seen how bad the depth chart is behind him and he’s missed too much playoff time in the past. I’d have given Ben a half, but go ahead and give him 2 weeks to get ready for those Jags. Still worried AB won’t be 100%

[Havoc]

I'm surprised since the season is not over.

And as others have mentioned, our receiving group minus AB could use more reps as a group. AB's status going forward is uncertain.

[Legacy User]

I don’t like it.

I could see LB with his heavy workload and injury history, in fact I love THAT move but Ben, he should at least play the first half. 3 weeks without the big guy playing at game speed? Not a fan

I tend to agree. I definitely sit Bell, given he's being hit on every carry. I think Ben, at his position, is better able to avoid injury...play him a half.

agree...don't like ben idle that long.seems to gather rust..unless he has a nagging injury id rather he play a half to keep in routine.

[Steelafan77]

Was going to say the same thing Perch, sept I hope to see Bell and Ben both the first half. Then sit them.

[Legacy User]

We need to win on the off chance the Jets win. Go Laundry! Besides, making the Browns 0-16 would be fun.

[Legacy User]

[quoteJoe Rutter
‏


@tribjoerutter



More
Marcus Gilbert tells our @TimBenzPGH that the Steelers won't play Ben Roethlisberger or Le'Veon Bell in finale vs. Cleveland][/quote]

[Louis Lipps Service]

Kind of odd with a theoretical shot at the #1 seed still on the table, isn't it?

I mean, I don't expect the Jets to beat NE anymore than anyone else...but stranger things have happened.

[Lynch]

Look forward to seein Jones and Ridley.

[Stillchest]

Look forward to seein Jones and Ridley.

Hahaha!

[Legacy User]

Laundry’s show

If the Jets are winning in 2nd half ( <1% chance) you put your studs in

Won’t happen though

[tbsteel]

Right call on Bell. We’ve seen how bad the depth chart is behind him and he’s missed too much playoff time in the past. I’d have given Ben a half, but go ahead and give him 2 weeks to get ready for those Jags. Still worried AB won’t be 100%

Agreed.

The Patriots aren't losing at home to a Jets team playing for nothing. And if we can't beat an 0-15 Browns team without Ben at home then fuck, we don't deserve it anyways. I don't think AB is going to be right until SB time, so I just hope we're still playing. I'd sit Ben in full though. I remember him getting carted off the field against the Browns late in the season a few years back that hurt us for a potential playoff run.

As for Bell needing a few yards to get the rushing title... it's like Tomlin told Willie Parker, he doesn't walk past six rushing titles each morning, it's six Lombardi's. Who gives a shit. Wrap him up until the playoffs.

[jeemie]

Laundry’s show

If the Jets are winning in 2nd half ( <1% chance) you put your studs in

Won’t happen though

You would think they'd have to dress Ben, but my fear is they put him in street clothes and hope Landry and the boys do what they did last year and beat the Brownies themselves.

[steelmann58]

I take my chances with a rusty Ben and bell than my chances with a injured Ben or Bell

[Legacy User]

Betting lines not happy

[Legacy User]

These are tricky, judgment calls that seldom result in an overwhelming majority falling to one side. Me, I’d keep Bell out for sure. Ben’s a toss-up. I love the way he’s been playing, and might want to squeeze a half out of him to keep some rhythm. If there were a way to guarantee him coming out on fire in the first playoff game, you’d go in that direction, but I don’t think there’s a magic formula. Give me a healthy squad for the championship game against the Patriots, no matter the location, and I like our chances.

[Legacy User]

Maybe Brady gets his knee destroyed Sunday

Then we look like geniuses