The AFC Championship Game is a defensive struggle, as expected. And that means quarterback play is even more crucial.

I’m sitting next to NFL Network player correspondent Antwaan Randle El, who played in Pittsburgh from 2002-05, and he believes the quarterback play is in favor of the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger. Ravens QB Joe Flacco has looked a bit like a rookie.

Antwaan points out that Big Ben has missed a couple of wide receivers on what could have been touchdown plays, but he has made enough throws to put the Steelers in field-goal range twice. Antwaan especially noted that Roethlisberger went to WR Hines Ward on Pittsburgh’s first two third-down plays and converted both times.

Antwaan knows a little something about turning Roethlisberger passes into first downs. During the 2005 regular season, he moved the chains on 23 catches — most on passes from Big Ben — and the Steelers went on to win the Super Bowl.

– Vic Carucci is reporting from Heinz Field

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