Jaguars players call out Roethlisberger - 'Be careful what you wish for'
They just won one of the ugliest playoff games in recent memory, but when it’s your first postseason victory in 10 years, it’s apparently OK to stick your chest out a bit.
Yes, the Jacksonville Jaguars, especially their defensive players, are feeling pretty confident these days after a 10-3 win over Buffalo on Sunday.
Combine that with the Jags’ 30-9 rout of the Steelers in Pittsburgh in Week 5, and it’s easy to see why both teams are looking forward to the rematch in the AFC divisional playoff game.
Ben Roethlisberger had what was arguably the worst game of his career that week, throwing five interceptions — two for touchdowns — in the blowout loss.
Big Ben appeared on Pittsburgh radio station KDKA-FM with host Ron Cook last week and was asked about possible opponents in the divisional round.
“I’ll give you guys one guess who you think I want to play,” Roethlisberger said. “Obviously, any game that we’re going to play since it’s the postseason is going to be a difficult opponent, but I think just for me personally I’d love to just prove that five interceptions wasn’t me in that game.”
That didn’t sit well with the much-heralded Jacksonville defense.
“Be careful what you wish for,” cornerback A.J. Bouye warned. “This is what he wanted, so this is what he is going to get.”
After their first matchup, Roethlisberger threw out a quote that just won’t go away, saying, “Maybe I don’t have it anymore.”
Jacksonville Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey made it clear that his squad is ready for another shot at the 35-year-old quarterback.
Jalen on Big Ben comments: I would want to play us again too if I were him. We had five picks and after the game I think he was contemplating retirement. @1010XL @Jaguars #Jaguars
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) January 8, 2018
This all makes for good entertainment, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn’t worried about the back and forth, telling reporters at Tuesday’s press conference, “His attention will be properly focused on winning the game, not responding to some regular season October performance.”
By the way, since the early season embarrassment, Roethlisberger has led the black and gold to a 10-1 record, looking a lot like the Big Ben Pittsburgh has grown to love in throwing 22 touchdowns to seven interceptions.
His counterpart in Sunday’s game, Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles, ran for 88 yards and threw for 87 against the Bills, becoming the first quarterback since Michael Vick to win a playoff game with more yards rushing than passing.
While Roethlisberger is facing a formidable defense, it’s extremely unlikely he’ll throw five picks again.
It’s also extremely unlikely Jacksonville will win if Bortles can’t supply more yardage through the air than on the ground.
Jaguars-Steelers: The Rematch is the early playoff game Sunday.
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