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Find Out How Big Ben’s 4-Game Suspension Will Affect Your NFL Weekly Picks

Take note Fantasy Footballers – when you’re making your NFL weekly picks to put in your lineup; you’ll now have Ben Roethlisberger two weeks sooner. 

The Steelers quarterback learned on Friday that his six-game suspension has been reduced by two games. Big Ben was originally ordered to sit for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced for the second straight offseason. The suspension reduction is contingent on Roethlisberger staying out of trouble and staying on his league-sanctioned program.

 “You have told me & the Steelers that you committed to making better decisions,” Commissioner Roger Goodell told Roethlisberger in a statement released via Twitter by league spokesman Greg Aiello. “Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment.”

 For Steelers fans and fantasy football owners, the good news is that there is a now a definite date when for Big Ben’s return to the field. It also means that for Cleveland Browns fans, there’s bad news. That return date is October 17^th against your team.

 Hopefully if you drafted Roethlisberger in one of your fantasy leagues, you did so with an eye out toward his suspension and prepared a proper contingency plan. Otherwise making those NFL weekly picks for starters is going to be an agonizing decision. The Steelers, however, aren’t so lucky. Anointed backup Dennis Dixon struggled throughout the preseason while Byron Leftwich sprained an MCL and will be out indefinitely.

 Meanwhile, Roethlisberger’s absence could have a ripple effect on other parts of the Steelers’ offense. The breakout season that fantasy owners expected from Mike Wallace could be muted for the first month. Hines Ward is now on the downside of his career and with an inexperienced, struggling quarterback under center; his numbers could take an even bigger hit. The problems extend to the running game as well. Without a solid passing game, things will get a lot tougher for Rashard Mendenhall in the backfield.

 On the field, if the Steelers get off to a slow start, it could spell problems. The Ravens have had a good preseason and expect big things from Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis and company. The Bengals offense on paper should be better with the addition of Terrell Owens. The Browns…well, they’re still the Browns. But for Steeler fans and fantasy owners alike, October 17^th is now circled in red ink.