Ben Roethlisberger ST. LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 27: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines during a game against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on September 27, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Ben Roethlisberger is attempting to inspire teammates following an embarrassing performance and defeat at the hands of the arch-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

The 34-year-old quarterback told ESPN the Steelers need not panic following the club’s latest loss, but instead to “follow me.”

“Guys that have been here that know, no time or reason to panic.”

The Steelers might seem ready to panic following Sunday’s 21-14 loss, the club’s third straight, leading to the Ravens tying Pittsburgh at 4-4 atop the AFC North. Roethlisberger, who found out two hours before Sunday’s kickoff he was starting, told CBS Pittsburgh the second half of the season is a new chapter to turn the Steelers losing woes around.

“I could do the Aaron Rodgers, ‘Relax,’ but I’m just going to say, it’s half time. We’re at half time, and we’ve had a lot of great second halves in my career and Pittsburgh Steelers’ season history…it’s not over yet and I’m excited for the second half of the season.”

Roethlisberger’s been around long enough to know second-half breakthroughs can happen. The Steelers schedule makes an AFC North title a real possibility. Pittsburgh has two matchupss against the 0-8 Cleveland Browns remaining and one against the 4-5 Colts – those should be winnable games. The Steelers will also face off against the Ravens and Bengals one more time, so the division will hang in the balance for some time.

There’s no reason for Pittsburgh to throw in the towel eight games into the season, as they remain tied for first place. Roethlisberger realizes this and wants to inspire his down teammates. It’s what leaders do.

[ESPN]

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