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Big Ben had a Big Day against the Colts Defense

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completely dominated the Colts defense yesterday. Like, completely.

By Josh Wilson
Joe Robbins

If you're squeamish, this post isn't for you.  Just look away now.  But if you want some numbers on just how much the Colts' defense was dominated yesterday, here we go - Ben Roethlisberger had an incredible game against the Colts.

Let's look at some of the things that Roethlisber did in yesterday's game:

  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Ben Roethlisberger threw 6 TD yesterday. Three different Vikings starting QB have combined to throw 5 all season.</p>&mdash; Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewSiciliano/status/526800938762117120">October 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Ben Roethlisberger: 2nd QB in NFL history with 500 passing yards, 6 TD, 0 INT in game &#10;&#10;Other- Y.A. Tittle, 1962 Giants (via <a href="https://twitter.com/EliasSports">@eliassports</a>)</p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/526735379731595266">October 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Ben Roethlisberger got his 100th win in his 150th game for a .667 win %, tied with Johnny Unitas for 4th-best in NFL history thru 150 games.</p>&mdash; Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gil_Brandt/status/526525555533824000">October 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Heck of a day for Ben Roethlisberger&#10;&#10;Steelers team records:&#10;&#10;522 passing yards&#10;6 TD passes</p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/526517250975887361">October 26, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>. <a href="https://twitter.com/steelers">@steelers</a>&#39; Ben Roethlisberger is 1st player in <a href="https://twitter.com/nfl">@NFL</a> history with 2 500-yd passing games</p>&mdash; Jon Zimmer (@NFLhistory) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLhistory/status/526516514791231488">October 26, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I won&#39;t make people wait for Quick Reads. Ben Roethlisberger had the highest regular-season DYAR by a QB ever (i.e. since at least 1989).</p>&mdash; Aaron Schatz (@FO_ASchatz) <a href="https://twitter.com/FO_ASchatz/status/526602615174733825">October 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Roethlisberger only had 6 failed completions out of 40 today. Not a hollow stat line at all. One of the best ever.</p>&mdash; Scott Kacsmar (@FO_ScottKacsmar) <a href="https://twitter.com/FO_ScottKacsmar/status/526596208115331072">October 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>16 500-yard passing games in NFL history&#10;Only 4 without an interception (Tittle, Moon, Roethlisberger twice).&#10;Ben (6) &amp; Tittle (7) &gt; 5 TD.</p>&mdash; Scott Kacsmar (@FO_ScottKacsmar) <a href="https://twitter.com/FO_ScottKacsmar/status/526603832831508480">October 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Roethlisberger&#39;s 9 incompletions vs. Colts:&#10;3 overthrown&#10;2 dropped&#10;1 dropped/defensed&#10;1 defensed&#10;1 underthrown&#10;1 throwaway under pressure</p>&mdash; Scott Kacsmar (@FO_ScottKacsmar) <a href="https://twitter.com/FO_ScottKacsmar/status/526719835762593793">October 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Highest passer rating in a game with 40+ attempts: Roethlisberger 1st over 150. <a href="http://t.co/NHgdnrMiCd">pic.twitter.com/NHgdnrMiCd</a></p>&mdash; Scott Kacsmar (@FO_ScottKacsmar) <a href="https://twitter.com/FO_ScottKacsmar/status/526772728913989633">October 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Ben Roethlisberger becomes 4th QB to win at least 100 games in first 150 starts.&#10;&#10;Others: Tom Brady, Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw. (ELIAS)</p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/526587312650862593">October 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Ben Roethlisberger&#39;s 99.0 Total QBR is highest in a game with at least 50 action plays (more than 700 games) since 1st yr of QBR data (2006)</p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/526568118207143936">October 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  • Per Football Perspective's Chase Stuart, Roethlisberger set a record for most completions in a game while still completing 80% or more of his passes.

So, yeah, Ben Roethlisberger was pretty great on Sunday.  And ultimately, here's the deal - we can talk about how terrible the Colts' defense was (and we certainly will).  They were completely dominated.  But at the same time, we must be certain to give credit to Roethlisberger.  Against Joe Flacco, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Andy Dalton (the last three quarterbacks the Colts faced) combined, the Colts allowed 573 passing yards.  On Sunday, going up against a legitimate top-tier NFL quarterback in Roethlisberger, he accounted for 522 yards alone - and very well could have gotten the all-time single-game passing record had the Steelers wanted.

This was about as dominant of an offensive performance as you'll find, and the Colts helped make it happen.  They were beyond terrible yesterday, and Roethlisberger was incredible.  The combination led to 51 points, 639 total yards, 8-for-13 on third downs (as many third down conversions as the Colts had allowed in the past five games combined), 522 passing yards and 6 passing touchdowns.  It was a game we'll remember for a long time but one that Colts fans will want to forget as quickly as possible.

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