Big Bewilderment: Steelers List Roethlisberger as Questionable

It's hard to say the Pittsburgh Steelers' perfect season is in jeopardy, given their upcoming opponent. But quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a major reason for the success and according to the Steelers, he may not play.

Roethlisberger has missed three straight days of practice, the first of which was not specified. The last two have been chalked up to a knee issue, and the Steelers have listed him as questionable for Monday's game against the Washington Football Team.

As you know, the Steelers are 11-0 and while they've hardly been dominant, have managed to pull off the victory regardless of circumstances. For instance, they looked lousy in Wednesday's close win over Baltimore, but were just less lousy than the Ravens.

That again could certainly be the case against Washington, whether or not Big Ben is the man behind center. Like the rest of the NFC East (and so many of the Steelers' opponents this season), Washington often can't get out of its own way.

This may all be much ado about nothing, too. "Questionable" hardly means that Roethlisberger is "out." It just means his status is up in the air and knowing Roethlisberger, he''ll trot out there once the game begins.

On the downside, Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs are the backups, and if Roethlisberger doesn't play, the offense will obviously look a lot different and presumably be a lot less efficient. A loss to Washington could turn the Steelers' perfect season into losing home-field advantage for the AFC playoffs, considering the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are 10-1.

So Roethlisberger's apparent status as a game-time decision may not seem like a big deal now, but it sure could play a role in how things go for the Steelers when the games mean the most.