NFL Betting Odds - Steelers Get Good News on Roethlisberger

Friday, September 03, 2010

by Bodog Sportsbook

NFL Betting Odds - Steelers Get Good News on Roethlisberger

The Pittsburgh Steelers learned they will get starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back after four games instead of six on Friday, but the team also learned that its starter in Big Ben’s place, Byron Leftwich, has suffered an injury and now won’t be able to go. Pittsburgh opens the season at home against Atlanta and is a slight dog on Bodog’s NFL odds.

By now you of course now what transpired this offseason at a Georgia bar between Big Ben and a co-ed, which led to a six-game suspension for the QB. He met with commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday – reportedly hoping to get the suspension reduced as low as two games – and Goodell cut it to the expected four games. Roethlisberger remains the only NFL player to be suspended under the league’s personal conduct penalty who was not charged with a crime or arrested (that was his argument for getting it reduced even further).

That means Roethlisberger will be eligible to return to the Steelers after the team's Oct. 3 game against the Ravens. This works out well because the Steelers have a bye in Week 5, so it will allow Roethlisberger to get in sync with the offense because he’s allowed no contact with the team during the suspension. Pittsburgh comes out of the bye to face the Browns.

Meanwhile, Leftwich reportedly either sprained or tore a ligament in his knee in the preseason finale on Thursday night (depending on which report you ready) and is at least out for Week 1 (and probably longer) against the Falcons, meaning third-year pro Dennis Dixon will make his second career start. Dixon actually had outperformed Leftwich during the preseason – Dixon was 23-for-32 for 327 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Pittsburgh also has Charlie Batch on the roster; he was likely to be cut before Leftwich’s injury.

Be a player and put your money down on Pittsburgh Steelers futures at Bodog Sportsbook if you dare!

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ben roethlisberger - byron leftwich - charlie batch - dennis dixon - pittsburgh steelers