Ben Roethlisberger might be retired, but the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback still has plenty to say about the NFL. This time, his comments hit close to home for Baltimore Ravens fans.
Speaking on his Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast, Roethlisberger didn’t mince words when discussing who Pittsburgh should and shouldn’t want to face in the first round of the playoffs. Spoiler alert: the Ravens are the last team he thinks the Steelers should see.
"You want to go to Houston... If there’s anybody in the postseason you want to play, it’s Houston," Roethlisberger said, pointing to the Texans’ recent struggles. "They are on the downslide. Now they’re injured, they’ve got all kinds of things going on." It’s no surprise he views Houston as the more favorable matchup, especially after Baltimore dismantled the Texans 31-2 just a week ago.
But it’s his comments about the Ravens that really stand out. "You do not want to go play in Baltimore right now," Roethlisberger said bluntly. While some Steelers fans might believe they can handle the Ravens after a few recent tight contests, Roethlisberger isn’t buying it. "No. I’m telling you. Right now, the way Baltimore’s playing, you don’t want that. You don’t want it."
Even Big Ben Roethlisberger knows Baltimore is a nightmare matchup
Roethlisberger’s remarks perfectly encapsulate what everyone around the league is feeling. The Ravens aren’t just playing good football—they’re playing dominant, championship-caliber football at the perfect time.
Their defense is a nightmare for opposing offenses, with Kyle Van Noy, Roquan Smith, and Kyle Hamilton leading a unit that smothers everything in sight. On offense, Lamar Jackson is in MVP form, operating with an efficiency and explosiveness that most teams can’t match.
The Ravens have won 11 games this season, many of them convincingly. And while the Steelers managed a narrow victory over Baltimore earlier this year, that was a different team—one that hadn’t yet found its rhythm. Now, with key players surging and a postseason atmosphere taking hold, the Ravens are a juggernaut no team wants to see, especially at M&T Bank Stadium, where their fans make the environment hostile and the stakes feel even higher.
Meanwhile, the Texans, Roethlisberger’s preferred first-round opponent, are limping into the playoffs. Their offense has sputtered, their injuries have piled up, and they’ve lost momentum at the worst possible time. For a Pittsburgh team with glaring inconsistencies, a trip to Houston feels far more manageable than a showdown with a Ravens squad firing on all cylinders.
Roethlisberger’s comments are a badge of honor. When your fiercest rival’s legendary quarterback is essentially pleading for his team to avoid you, it says everything about how dangerous Baltimore has become. Sure, there’s a long road ahead in a stacked AFC, but Baltimore has the talent, coaching, and swagger to make another deep playoff run.
So, let Pittsburgh fans dream about a matchup with Houston. The Ravens will be waiting for whoever comes their way—ready to prove, once again, why they’re the team no one wants to face.