Down and Out: Steelers Could Find Their Playoff Hopes Vanish Without Big Ben

Last night's Monday Night Football game was a awfully painful game to watch as a fan.

Not only was it a low scoring, highly lackluster performance by both offenses, it may be becoming even more painful for Steeler fans.

As Ben Roethlisberger went out in the 3rd quarter with an apparent shoulder injury, the playoff hopes and beyond for the Steelers may of left with him.

Even though Pittsburgh has two veteran quarterbacks in Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich, neither one brings the intangibles that Big Ben brings to the table.

Having an elite quarterback in the NFL is rare and the Steelers have that when Roethlisberger lines up under center.  Not only does he create things with his great ability, he brings a sense of calmness and leadership to the locker-room and Steeler Nation.

Without him in the lineup, finishing strong in the final seven games of the season seem like a up-hill battle instead of a manageable feat.

Roethlisberger left immediately during the game to go to the local hospital to receive a MRI and get further diagnosis, staying there past midnight.

Reports this morning have the injury being serious and possibly season ending not only for him, but possibly season ending for the Steelers.

At 6-3, the Steelers sit in the final Wild Card spot in the AFC.

I'm not saying that the Steelers players can't rally around Leftwhich or Batch and make the playoffs, I'm saying that it is an extremely hard task to lose a top 5 quarterback in the league on any roster and then turn around and make a deep playoff run.

So as Roethlisberger and Steeler Nation wait for more results from the MRI and a time table as to his return, the hour glass may be running out on their time this season!