data-mm-id=”_ulq6sy99r”>The Pittsburgh Steelers are 10-0 with a decent chance to finish the season undefeated. They've won those games on the strength of an extremely stingy, turnover-creating defense and a cast of talented YAC producers on offense. Ben Roethlisberger has been good enough after missing all but two games last season with an elbow ailment, and the Steelers are poised for a postseason appearance that could transform into a deep playoff run. There. I have acknowledged they are a good team, because of course they are. But what they do not have is a top-five quarterback. Stephen A. Smith appeared on ESPN to argue the opposite and that, in fact, Big Ben is one of the five best quarterbacks to step on the field so far this year. This is simply not the case. There is no way to spin this and come out with a reasonable and logical argument that Ben Roethlisberger is a top-five quarterback in the horrid year of 2020. Smith's argument is that Roethlisberger has not completed less than 63 percent of his passes in any game except one this season, he's thrown for more than 300 yards a few times, and the Steelers have 10 wins. These are all irrefutable facts. They do, in fact, indicate Roethlisberger is a good quarterback. I do not deny this. It does not mean he's a top-five quarterback. Big Ben does not rank in the top five of any significant statistical quarterback measure other than touchdowns. His 24 touchdowns this season are good for fifth in the NFL. Otherwise, Roethlisberger is ranked 18th in completion percentage, 15th in total yards, sixth in touchdown percentage, seventh in interceptions percentage, 26th in yards per attempt, 31st in yards per completion, 17th in yards per game, and 24th in net yards gained per passing attempt. He is also, as Steelers fans in your life will adamantly remind you after hearing about such stats, No. 1 in wins. Again: Big Ben is still a good quarterback, and that's a noteworthy accomplishment for a member of the 2004 draft class coming off surgery on his throwing elbow. But the five best quarterbacks in football this year have been, in no particular order: Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, and Josh Allen. Sure, if it's an important game, you might take Roethlisberger over Allen or Murray, but by every other measure, he can't hold a candle to what those guys have been doing. Roethlisberger has done a great job in 2020, but he's far from top-five anymore. That's fine. I'm sure he doesn't care considering the current record. But to say he's top-five is simply ridiculous.
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After a goalless first half, Spain snatched the lead in the 54th minute when Esther Gonzalez found space in the penalty area and finished low and hard across Mary Earps in the English goal.
With their tournament hanging in the balance, Ella Toone was subbed on with half an hour to play, and she proved to be the hero when she got on the end of Alessia Russo s squaring head to stab in the equalising volley from the edge of the six-yard box in the 84th minute.
Locked at 1-1, extra time was needed, and England made sure their fans would head home happy after Georgia Stanway fou…
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp called it a perfect night for marquee recruit Darwin Nunez as he came off the bench at half-time and scored four goals in his side s 5-0 friendly win against RB Leipzig on Thursday.
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The former Benfica striker did not have to wait long to get on the scoresheet, stepping up to the penalty spot and converting to make it 2-0 in the 48th minute.
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Parma put a dent in AC Milan s hopes of qualifying for next season s Champions League after club captain Bruno Alves scored a superb curling free-kick to secure his side a deserved 1-1 draw at Ennio Tardini.
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Samu Castillejo made the hosts rue their missed opportunities when he scored what looked like the winner three minutes after coming off the bench but Milan failed to hold out for a smash-and-grab triumph as Parma s determination paid off.
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Market: Athletic Bilbao win
Odds: 6/5 @
Handed a real chance to break into the European spots on Friday night, Athletic Bilbao will welcome Celta Vigo to the San Mamés Barria when opening this weekend.
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Arsenal are wrong to pursue the signing of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, according to former midfielder Paul Merson.
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Vardy scored 24 Premier League goals to help Leicester to a shock Premier League title success in 2015-16, but Merson who played for Arsenal between 1985 and 1997 does not think he suits the club s style.
I m shocked I’m absolutely flabbergasted with it, Merson told talkSPORT.
Arsenal don t get the ball forward quick enough for Jamie Vardy. No disrespect, but he plays at Leicester where everyone goes and has a go at them.
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Nasri, who played the first 73 minutes of that friendly, believes France have come a long way since their first-round failure under Raymond Domenech at the World Cup in South Africa two years ago.
France have grown and we improved in the qualification for the Euros, he told Goal.com.
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Gregory van der Wiel does not know who the opponents will be, but is confident that Netherlands are going the win the Euro 2012 final 2-1.
The full-back admitted that the tournament is full of difficult adversaries, and did not rule out the possibility of a World Cup final rematch against Spain.
But he is confident that Oranje will be winners this time around.
It s possible (that Netherlands could face Spain in the final), but you have a lot of other strong countries, Van der Wiel told Goal.com.
Not only Spain or Holland, also Germany, England, Portugal, France all strong countries so we have to be aware of every team, not only Spain.
I think Holland will reach the final, but I don t know against who. We re going to win 2-1, though.
Verdict: Chelsea to win to Nil
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Bookmaker:
Reigning Premier League champions lock horns with an in-form Bournemouth side in a midweek clash at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are coming off from a comprehensive win over Brighton last time out but their most recent form offers plenty to worry about as Conte’s men struggle to replicate last season’s form.
Chelsea
Antonio Conte is having plenty of problems in his second year in charge of Chelsea. The Italian tactician proved to be an instant hit in the Premier League with his unique approach and style but the army-like routine seems to have lost its full effect this year.
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