Why Roethlisberger's Injury Poses a Threat to Pittsburgh Steelers' Title Chances

While he did soldier through and play last night in his team's 20-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is clearly not 100-percent healthy. 

The hobbled signal-caller turned in one of his worst performances of the season, completing 25 of 44 passes for 330 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. The 29-year-old also fumbled twice, losing one. His injured left ankle clearly had him at a severe disadvantage in the pocket and he never looked comfortable Monday night. 

Roethlisberger claims he did not take any pain injections in the ankle, saying he only took "two Tylenols and two Advil." Considering how poorly he played, he may want to rethink that strategy.

There is growing speculation that the Steelers may be better off sitting Big Ben for the team's Week 16 match-up with the St. Louis Rams. Even without Roethlisberger, the Steelers should be able to best the 2-12 Rams at home with Charlie Batch under center. It may be more important for the team to have its starting quarterback resting and getting healthy for the playoffs, rather than have him out there helping out against a terrible opponent.

If Roethlisberger isn't markedly better by the postseason, the Steelers go from a contender for the AFC title to a candidate to get booted in the first round.

The Steelers have the league's eighth-best passing attack (averaging 260.5 yards per game), but just the 17th-ranked rushing attack (112.4 yards per game). If Roethlisberger isn't in there and healthy, the passing offense will obviously take a major hit.

While the team still leads the league in total defense (allowing just 276.9 yards per game), as we saw last night, without a capable passing attack the Steelers become an average team. Roethlisberger needs to get healthy and fast.