National Football League

Big Ben fumbles away shot at comeback bid

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:22 a.m. ET

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By Sam Gardner, FOXSports.com A furious fourth-quarter rally got the Pittsburgh Steelers to within seven points of the Minnesota Vikings Sunday in London, but a critical Ben Roethlisberger fumble in the Vikings red zone cost the Steelers a chance for a potential game-tying — or even game-winning — score and dropped the Steelers to 0-4 on the year. After guiding his offense 72 yards in 1 minute 21 seconds, Roethlisberger and the Steelers faced a third-and-goal from the Vikings 6-yard line with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter of a 34-27 game. With no timeouts, Roethlisberger could nary afford to take a sack, but even that probably would have been preferred over what actually happened:

Roethlisberger seemed to be keeping the ball in his passing hand in the hope that he might escape Everson Griffen's grasp, but in doing so, he left himself vulnerable, and as Chad Greenway came in to finish Roethlisberger off, the ball popped out and ended up in the arms of a Vikings defender. Certainly an incomplete pass would have been preferred in this situation. But in this case, Roethlisberger has to know when he’s toast, take the sack and try to get off a fourth-down play to give his winless team a chance. (GIF via Gifdsports)

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