Roethlisberger vs. Rivers
Two 2004 first-round quarterbacks ... both 6-5 ... first meeting ... each seeking to bounce back after losses. The Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger (No. 11 overall in ’04) last year became the youngest quarterback (23) in history to win a Super Bowl. San Diego’s Philip Rivers (No. 4) is in his first year as a starter. Yet so far, Rivers ranks above Roethlisberger in almost every passing category.
These two won’t be physically going at it, but LaDainian Tomlinson and the Steelers’ rush defense will, and that matchup could be the key to the game. Tomlinson -- the Chargers’ all-time leading rusher (7,661 yards) -- already has 300 yards (and 11 catches) in San Diego’s first three games. It is critical, say members of Pittsburgh’s fourth-ranked NFL rushing defense, to stop “LT.”
“He is fast, strong, has a low center of gravity,” says Steelers LB James Farrior. “He can see anywhere on the field. The key is to stop the run. They don’t want to put too much pressure on the quarterback because he is still learning.”
A year ago (10/10) on a Monday night in San Diego, the teams met, with Tomlinson accounting for 130 total yards (62 rushing, 68 receiving) in a game with three lead changes before Pittsburgh took it 24-22 on a 40-yard Jeff Reed kick.
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This should be another great game Sunday. I expect to see more scoring than last week, but both defenses will keep the score relatively low, I'm sure.
As far as Philip vs. Ben, it certainly looks as though Rivers has more physical talent of the two, maybe a bit more mobile and definitely a stronger arm, but the latter has displayed maturity far behyond is years in leading an offense. To date, Philip has given every indication that he'll be just as efficient as Ben: He seems to make good decisions and is able to throw an accurate pass, but we have yet to see how he performs in high-pressure games.
In a year or so I actually expect he'll be considered one of the NFL's best QBs.
Dave George (October 4, 2006 3:52 PM)