How Can The Steelers Succeed Without Ben Roethlisberger Vs. Patriots?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are used to life without Ben Roethlisberger.

The legendary gunslinger has missed eight games due to injury since 2011, and ever since 2005, the Steelers actually have a winning record of 11-9 without Big Ben in the lineup.

Despite having moderate success without Roethlisberger, the Steelers will be faced with an arduous task when they take on the New England Patriots on Sunday with Landry Jones as their starting quarterback.

Jones started two games last season and struggled his way to a 1-1 record. He threw three touchdowns — all to Martavis Bryant, who is out for the 2016 season because of a suspension — along with four interceptions.

NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala joined “Between The Tackles” with Michaela Vernava and examined the difference in the Steelers’ offense with Jones under center compared to Roethlisberger.

“This offense is very different without Ben Roethlisberger and with Landry Jones,” Kinkhabwala told NESN.com. “He has not shown any sort of particularly good rapport with Antonio Brown. Ben Roethlisberger will throw the ball to Antonio Brown even if he is double or triple-teamed. Landry Jones won’t.”

For this reason, Kinkhabwala believes that the Steelers will focus on a run-heavy attack featuring their two-headed monster of Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams against the Patriots.