Ben Roethlisberger raised his eyebrows, a look of bemusement on his face.
"Oh, really? There are still some to get?" he asked.
This was Sunday night, not long after Roethlisberger and the Steelers turned away the New York Giants, 24-14. I asked him if he was aware that he had tied another significant Steelers record. His 22-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown in the second quarter _ a magnificent play on both ends _ gave him and Brown 49 career touchdowns together, the same number that Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann had.
Don't get the wrong idea. There was nothing egotistical about Roethlisberger's response. It was pure innocence. Clearly, he doesn't take his 53 Steelers records _ by my count _ for granted.
"I can tell you, honestly, that stuff is humbling when it's brought up to me," Roethlisberger said. "I didn't know that. I don't know about any of my records. But when you say those names and say the company that we keep, that's humbling because I know how awesome those guys were."
The Steelers record that means the most to Roethlisberger is his 120 wins as their starting quarterback, 13 and counting more than the great Bradshaw. His regular-season record as a starter is 120-60.
This latest win _ the Steelers' third in a row _ was important because it kept the team in a first-place tie with Baltimore in the AFC North Division. After a tough loss Nov. 6 to the Ravens, Roethlisberger tried to pick up his teammates by saying, "Follow me," to the playoffs. Since then, he has completed 71 percent of his passes for 1,085 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception. The team has gone 3-1.
"Right now, he's playing lights out," Ramon Foster said. "He's showing true leadership, better now than I've ever seen. He's stepping up in a major, major way."
The win against the Giants had a little extra significance for Roethlisberger because it came with Eli Manning on the other sideline. The two quarterbacks went in the 2004 NFL, Manning as the No. 1 overall selection and Roethlisberger No. 11 with San Diego quarterback Phillip Rivers in between at No. 4. Roethlisberger is now 3-1 against Manning. Each has won two Super Bowls.
"There's a lot of respect. Both ways. We've done it at a high level for a long time," Roethlisberger said.
"I think any time you go against someone in your class, those competitive juices are going to flow. I'm sure he wanted to get the best of me really bad and I wanted to get the best of him. I'm just glad we got the win."
Roethlisberger and Brown could own the latest record exclusively by nightfall Sunday in Buffalo, N.Y. It's a remarkable record because it speaks to the chemistry the two have. "Total trust," Roethlisberger said. "We don't really practice it. It just happens."
Magic.
It was evident when the Steelers faced a second-and-3 at the Giants 22 midway through the second quarter. Roethlisberger stepped up in the pocket to avoid defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul's rush and rolled to his right. "I probably could have scored if I had kept running," Roethlisberger said.
At his age? 34? In his 13th NFL season? With much of his quickness gone from early in his career?
"OK, but for sure I would have gotten the first down," Roethlisberger said, grinning.
"Throwing it probably wasn't the smartest play on my part."
Roethlisberger saw cornerback Janoris Jenkins in single coverage on Brown in the end zone. He also saw that Jenkins had his back to the quarterback.
"We consider that open in the NFL _ especially with A.B.," Roethlisberger said. "I put it up and he went up and made the play. His body control is like nothing I've ever seen before."
Brown's best catch Sunday came in the third quarter on a sideline route for a 13-yard gain when he somehow got down his right foot inbounds and dragged his left big toe. Now, that was body control. The touchdown catch was fairly routine by Brown's standards. He outleaped and outfought Jenkins for the ball. For Brown, it was business as usual without a celebration penalty. Boomin'.
"Ben did a great job of putting the ball in a position where only I could get it," Brown said.
Roethlisberger's first thought?
"The defender made a great play, but A.B. is A.B. Or Ronald. Or whomever."
That was a reference to Brown's off-the-wall request last week to be known as "Ronald." Don't ask. Brown won't say why.
The Steelers put up with Brown's silliness. They even put up with his foolish celebration penalties because they come after touchdowns. He has 11, most among NFL wide receivers. Teammates and coaches appreciate his greatness.
So, apparently, do opponents.
Television cameras caught Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. smiling and applauding Brown's touchdown catch. He still is taking criticism from New York media and fans. Not that Beckham, who exchanged jerseys with Brown after the game, cares.
"The man is like a brother to me," Beckham said. "He's a guy who inspires me. We train in the offseason together. It's not like I'm sitting there rooting for him, saying, 'Tear it up.' But I love Antonio and the way he plays. I admire when he does his thing."
So does Roethlisberger.
Especially Roethlisberger.
"Hopefully," he said, "there are a lot more touchdowns to come."
