Watch: Ben Roethlisberger floats a dangerous pass to James Washington for clutch conversion

by Ben Beberman (STEELMANBEN) on December 3, 2020

Steel City Underground will pick a play of the game from each side of the ball each week of the Steelers 2020 season. Stay tuned as we hand-select the very best from the Black and Gold!

The Steelers remain undefeated, but it was not pretty.

After an anxious wait, the Steelers finally faced their fiercest rival today in the Baltimore Ravens. Although not at full strength, gave the Steelers a hard fight. Even though most of the difficulty was self-inflicted. Steelers finally ended the slug-fest with a 19-14 victory. One play, while it looked like a bad decision, ended up being one of the biggest clutch moments this season.

Late in the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh was looking to end the game after a late score by Baltimore. With 2:36 left in the game, Pittsburgh faced a 3rd and 6 on their own 17-yard line. Ben Roethlisberger is lined up in the gun with all the receivers lined up on the weak side of the field. Lined up in the slot is the hero of the day in my eyes, the very under-appreciated James Washington. As the ball is snapped, the Ravens send a heavy blitz as Ben drops back.

What happens next I guarantee made every Steelers fan say “oh no” in their heads.

Ben tosses a floater into the middle of the field with three defenders covering over Washington. By forces which I do not understand, Washington somehow snags the pass in and holds on to the ball with one arm while he is pulled down into the ground by two guys. I still do not understand how he hangs on to this pass.

This pass helped seal the deal for the game. Was it a smart play? In my humble opinion, no because it could’ve been a very bad outcome. However, it ended up being one of the craziest passes Big Ben ever threw in his historic career.

This was a bright spot within a dark reality of the Steelers offense tonight. Something needs to change regarding the Steelers offense and it has to happen now. However, this is something I will address another time. Right now I will enjoy us becoming one game closer to the AFC North crown. On to the next game against Washington.