Back to the Top News Newsfeed

Brady vs. Big Ben: Disappointing Rivalry Can Get New Life in AFC Title Game

Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger first met under the most storied of circumstances.

It was Halloween 2004. Brady's Patriots were defending Super Bowl champions on a historic 21-game winning streak. Roethlisberger was a hotshot rookie with a 4-0 record since taking over as the Steelers starter.

Everyone expected Bill Belichick's defense to put yet another young gunslinger in his place while Brady efficiently led the Patriots to victory. Instead, Roethlisberger threw a pair of touchdowns, and the Steelers defense harassed Brady into multiple turnovers, sparking a 34-20 Steelers upset.

The Patriots were mortal.