NFL Betting News – Roethlisberger’s Ban Reduced To Four Games

Ben Roethlisberger has finally received some good news this summer. His ban from the NFL has been reduced to just four games, which has vastly improved the Pittsburgh Steelers’ chances of making an impact in the NFL betting scene this season. This news comes after Big Ben met with the big kahuna of the NFL, Roger Goddell, to plead his case and reduce the original sentence of six games.

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This is a huge victory for Roethlisberger and the Steelers, who will open the NFL season against the Atlanta Falcons and then play two roadies in Tennessee and Tampa Bay before a matchup against division rival Baltimore. After that they have a Week 5 BYE. After that, Big Ben is free to rejoin the team which couldn’t be better timing all things considered.

Roethlisberger has been one of the best quarterbacks, leaders and winners in the league since his glamorous run in 2004 where he went 14-0 SU. In 2009, Roethlisberger posted the fifth best season of any quarterback with 337 completions on 506 attempts, rallying for 4,328 yards and 26 touchdowns while serving up 12 picks and 50 sacks.

Next Game: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons
September 12th — Atlanta -2.5 (38)

Since the news that Big Ben accosted some poor/fortunate college girl in a bar bathroom hit the news pipe, the Steelers have been scrambling to fill the void at quarterback. They re-signed Byron Leftwich who suffered an MCL sprain that has dropped him to questionable status, and while Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch remain on the depth chart, neither have been encouraging in the preseason.

Dixon, a former Oregon Duck superstar and pitching prodigy in baseball, has had a rough go in the preseason. In his only true start, he went 9-for-16 and threw for 94 yards and two interceptions against the Denver Broncos. While he has showed flashes of those smart feet that made him dangerous in college, his aptitude for the NFL game isn’t polished the he’s simply not reacting well to the pressure mounting on his shoulders.

Which makes the four game ban to Ben Roethlisberger so much better. Pittsburgh will face Cleveland in Week 6 with Big Ben back in the lineup as long as he stays out of bathrooms for the time being. Considering the Steelers’ schedule, Dixon could very well lead them to a 2-2 SU record. Even if the Steelers are 1-3 SU heading in to the BYE week with losses to the Falcons, Titans and Ravens more than likely, Pittsburgh can rely on a bit of luck to remain relevant in their division

Steelers fans are rejoicing. But how about mothers and daughters around the world?

Listen, Ben Roethlisberger is at fault for his lewd behavior. He’s admitted that, taken responsibility for it and done enough since April to make the iron-fisted Goddell reduce his six game suspension. At the end of the day, Big Ben is a 28-year old, two-time Super Bowl Champion and icon in football for one of the greatest franchises in the NFL. At some point, all that success goes to someone’s head.

Just ask Tiger Woods (and Kobe Bryant, Travis Henry, Jesse James and any guy who has once felt invincible).

If anything, Roethlisberger has proven to at least Goddell that he is on the road to recovery and is leaving his bone headed days behind him. The only real way to gain the favor of football fans and NFL betting enthusiast is to get back to what Roethlisberger does best – winning.

The first four games of Pittsburgh’s series are survivable, especially considering Tennessee’s defensive woes. With Big Ben back by Week 6 after the BYE week, Pittsburgh is back in the AFC North title picture, whether you like him or not.

Bet on all Division Champions for the upcoming 2010 NFL Season here!