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Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger: 'We Hold Our Own Destiny In Our Hands'

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan)- Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger joined The Cook and Poni Show Tuesday as the Steelers are coming off a much needed bye week.

"Sometimes there are good times and there are not so good times," Roethlisberger said. "This was a good time for not just me but for everybody feeling like we are going to have potentially a full strength team coming out of this, a late season bye with 5 games to go. It's time to dig our heels in and make a push."

Ben says the focus is now to get this group to play it's best football in the final five regular season games. He said he remembered what last year felt like needing help to get into the playoffs.

"We hold our own destiny in our hands," Roethlisberger said. "I want us to have to win every single game the rest of the way out because I remember last year after the last game and going home and sitting there watching I believe it was the Chiefs that missed that field goal that kept us out of the playoffs. It's not fun to have your destiny in someone else's hands. We control it so why not make it all about us."

Ben also talked briefly about LeGarrette Blount's first game with the New England Patriots after being released by the Steelers last week. Blount had two touchdown runs in his first game with the Patriots in their win this past Sunday over the Detroit Lions.

"Good for him," Roethlisberger said. "He is not a Pittsburgh Steeler anymore. I can only control and really focus on who is in this locker room and those guys because they are my teammates and my brothers. He was a teammate and a brother for part of this year and then he is not anymore."

Ben said the team will move on with the guys that they have and although Le'Veon Bell will be the guy who gets the majority of the carries it could be a blessing for Dri Archer who will get a chance to really show what he can do. Ben said the talent is there he just needs to gain the confidence in himself to get going.

"We believe in him," Roethlisberger said. "We just need him to believe in himself as much as we believe in him."

The Steelers at (7-4) are in a crowded AFC North tied with the Browns and Ravens for second place just a half game behind the division leading Bengals. The Steelers will face the Bengals head to head twice in the remaining five games which could really be what decides the division but the Steelers according to Roethlisberger will need to win all five to assure themselves of a spot in the playoffs.

The New Orleans Saints will be the first on the docket when they visit Heinz Field this Sunday for a 1pm kickoff.

You can listen to the full interview below and you can hear The #1 Cochran Ben Roethlisberger show LIVE every Tuesday at 11 am during the football season on The Cook and Poni Show on Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM).

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