Steelers have some healthy choices to make

By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

The playoff scenarios the Steelers are studying aren't too complex.

All they have to do to win a fourth AFC North title in five seasons is beat the Browns on Sunday and get some help from the Bengals, a team to which they always haven't been so charitable.

The question that is bigger than the Steelers' offensive line, even with a trimmed-down Trai Essex: Should the Steelers allow Ben Roethlisberger to have the opportunity to improve his on his 12-1 career record against Cleveland?

The list of pros and cons when it comes to playing Roethlisberger is a lengthy one. So much is unknown when it comes to the Steelers' franchise quarterback and his sprained left ankle.

Even if Roethlisberger plays against — and beats — the team he still gets up for because of a 2004 draft-day snub, there is no guarantee that the Steelers will win the division and get a first-round bye in the playoffs.

And if Roethlisberger plays in Cleveland and re-injures the ankle he hurt earlier this month against the Browns, it doesn't matter which seed the Steelers get in the playoffs. They aren't going anywhere unless Roethlisberger is in some semblance of good health.

Coach Mike Tomlin would never admit it, but he had to know that the Steelers could get away with resting Roethlisberger on Saturday and still beat the woebegone St. Louis Rams.

As running back Isaac Redman said, the Steelers saw on film that they could run all over the Rams, and they did just that in a 27-0 trampling of arguably the worst team in the NFL.

The Browns aren't that much better than the Rams are when it comes to stopping the run, which is why Tomlin again should be tempted to start Charlie Batch at quarterback.

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I say start Batch again so Ben can heal. A little part of me says he needs the workout but the risk factor is to high.

Even if they slow down our rushing attack Charlie can make enough plays to win this one too.

I'd like to see a little of Ben just so he doesn't get rusty, but Batch can win this game if our defense does it's job as usual. Ben is too valuable to risk this close to the playoffs.

let Ben sit another game needs to let his ankle rest.