Sports betting website handicappers have had to work overtime in keeping up with the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback carousel that continues this week at Tampa Bay. The Number 4 quarterback, Charlie Batch will get the call to start for the Steelers on Sunday against the 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.A Revolving Door Pittsburgh number one quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is serving the final two games of a four game suspension for violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He was to be replaced by number two quarterback Byron Leftwich but he was hurt in preseason with a sprained left knee. Third string quarterback Dennis Dixon led the Steelers to payouts at Sbg global in their first two games but suffered a torn cartilage in his left knee and is now out indefinitely due to surgery.
Enter Batch
Somehow Pittsburgh keeps winning despite the quarterback bug. Their 2-0 starts sets up nicely for when Roethlisberger returns. Batch will be asked to maintain momentum over the next two weeks. The Steelers were hoping Leftwich would be healed but doctors could not guarantee that his knee could withstand the pressure of playing in a game. Batch re-signed with Pittsburgh last spring when the Roethlisberger story broke as the Steelers knew that a suspension would be likely and that depth would be needed. Batch is 35 years old and was the starter for the Detroit Lions back in 1998-2001and has been a Pittsburgh backup off and on since 2002. One of the sports betting edges that Batch gives the Steelers is familiarity with the system and the players. In last Sunday’s win at Tennessee Batch was 5-11 for 25 yards. He has averaged just 16 passes per season in the last 9 years but is eager for this unexpected opportunity.
Game Speed for a Team Game
Batch’s biggest challenge will be getting acclimated to game speed since he has seen such limited action and is admittedly rusty. Sports betting website handicappers would not want to get too eager to opposing the Steelers however as their defense and running game has carried them to success thus far. Pittsburgh is ranked 10th in the NFL for rushing and has the 6th ranked defense in the NFL that is ranked 2nd best for points permitted. Tampa Bay’s young offense led by 2nd year quarterback Josh Freeman is ranked only 24th in the NFL.