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Roethlisberger looks to remain perfect vs. Browns

Dec 5, 2006 - 5:36 PM Cleveland (4-8) at Pittsburgh (5-7) Thursday 8:00 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - In what has been a forgettable season, Ben Roethlisberger hopes to create some more positive memories against the Cleveland Browns.

Roethlisberger looks to remain unbeaten against the Browns in his career Thursday when the Pittsburgh Steelers host their AFC North Division rivals.

Roethlisberger attended Findlay High School (roughly 125 miles from Cleveland) and was the runner-up for 1999 Mr. Football honors in Ohio. He went on to star at Miami (Ohio), rewriting virtually every school record.

In his career, Roethlisberger has won all four of his career starts against the Browns. The last time the teams met was on November 19, when Roethlisberger engineered a trio of touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to help Pittsburgh rally for a 24-20 victory.

Roethlisberger overcame a poor start in that contest and finished 25-of-44 for 272 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions. In his career vs. Cleveland, Roethlisberger owns a 63.4 completion percentage and a quarterback rating of 83.1.

Despite winning three of their last four games, the Steelers dug themselves too large of a hole early this season and have virtually no chance of defending their Super Bowl title.

One week after dropping a 27-0 decision to the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh rebounded last Sunday with a 20-3 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Roethlisberger, who was sacked a career-high nine times against Baltimore, passed for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Steelers' defense was dominant, recording three interceptions and five sacks.

For the second straight week, the Steelers will be without wide receiver Hines Ward and strong safety Troy Polamalu due to knee injuries.

Cleveland also looks to carry momentum from a victory last Sunday. With injured starting quarterback Charlie Frye watching from the sideline, backup Derek Anderson spearheaded the Browns to a 31-28 overtime triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Reserve tight end Steve Heiden caught a pair of TD passes for the Browns, who rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Frye, who suffered a right wrist injury in the first half, is questionable for this contest.