Roethlisberger Could Rest Sunday Even With No. 3 Seed Still a Possibility for Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers still have an outside chance to overtake the San Diego Chargers for the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs, but nevertheless might rest quarterback Ben Roethlisberger this weekend.

Roethlisberger suffered a sprained ankle during last weekend's triumph over the St. Louis Rams and didn't practice with the Steelers' starting offense Wednesday or Thursday. If Roethlisberger is rested by Coach Mike Tomlin, backup Charlie Batch would start Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers would need to beat the Ravens and have the Chargers lose to the Oakland Raiders to move up from fourth to third in the AFC playoff seedings. Either way, they'll host a first-round playoff game. But being third instead of fourth could be significant because it could mean avoiding a matchup with the New England Patriots in the second round of the postseason.

Batch has a 3-0 record as a starter the previous two seasons. Roethlisberger has started every game this season and had a perfect passer rating of 158.3 in the win over the Rams.

By Mark Maske |  December 28, 2007; 8:53 AM ET  | Category:  Steelers
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