Rams fall to Steelers

Depending on where you think Vick lies on the spectrum, Roethlisberger is worth a touchdown more per game than his replacement, and that’s with Roethlisberger in the top two of the league for both metrics. A 20-13 upset of the Steelers last November while playing for the New York Jets. Roethlisberger has been excellent.

Before the hit, Roethlisberger was 20-of-24 out of 192 yards with an interception. Without question, Roethlisberger has dutifully paced his team thus far.

“He got an MRI, he’s got an MCL sprain,” said Tomlin. The Cowboys now find themselves desperate to stay afloat for 5-7 weeks.

What the rest of the season looks like whenever Roethlisberger returns will rely heavily on how much is left in Michael Vicks 35-year-old arm (and legs). The Ravens are a desperate 0-3, and are walking into Heinz Field with the realization that their season is all but over with a loss. Big Ben will need to be back for that game if the Steelers want to win. Vick is 35 now.

“Ryan Shazier is still nursing his shoulder and I don’t know what his availability is going to be”, said Tomlin. It would be interesting to see how the entire Steelers will respond to the leadership of Vick.

The ball will come out of the left-handed Vick’s hands a little differently, but that lack of difference is something Heyward-Bey takes comfort in. If Roethlisberger only misses four weeks, he will also miss games against the Chargers, Cardinals, and Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the Steelers figure to be without the NFL’s 2014 passing yardage leader for home games against Baltimore and Arizona and games at San Diego and Kansas City. Will Allen had a very strong game, and Mike Mitchell also turned in a solid performance including some big hits.

Michael Vick, who was the subject of a lot of Steelers fan outrage when he signed with the team during the preseason, took over at quarterback and led Pittsburgh to a grinding 12-6 victory. He doesn’t have the speed and elusiveness he did a decade ago. At one point, he was feared but as his career has progressed, he’s been more erratic. He’s become a pick machine.

Harbaugh was especially complimentary of Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell, whom he called “their two premiere guys”.

The rule footnotes indicate that defenders are not allowed to initiate lunges or rolls and hut hit the knee area of the passer even if the defender comes in contact with another player.