Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger gets wish, ends last game at Heinz Field with win

PITTSBURGH — Minutes before his final game at Heinz Field kicked off, Ben Roethlisberger faced the Cleveland Browns game captains by himself at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ midfield logo Monday night.

Fellow Steelers captains Cam Heyward and Derek Watt would normally flank the quarterback on the walk to the coin toss, but the pair stopped short, letting their quarterback go ahead without them.

When Roethlisberger realized what was happening, he turned around and motioned for them to come with him, but the pair hung back. Roethlisberger continued, until he stood by himself at midfield for the final coin toss at Heinz Field of his 18-year career.

It was the kind of understated gesture fitting of the veteran, who said earlier he preferred winning Monday night to pomp and circumstance in his farewell to his home field.

The Steelers then delivered Roethlisberger’s greatest wish with a 26-14 win against the Browns.

The Steelers’ offensive plan revolved around Roethlisberger’s arm, and the quarterback attempted 34 passes in the first half — second-most in a first half in his NFL career, including playoffs. Yet, the 39-year-old threw for just 96 first-half yards, becoming the first player in the last 40 years with at least 30 pass attempts and less than 100 yards at halftime.

He finished his final game completing 24 for 46 attempts for 123 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

“It’s funny because probably not the way you wanted it other than the win,” Roethlisberger said after the game. “And that’s all that really matters. And that’s been the story of my career: Not always pretty but we find a way.”

In the first half, the Steelers dropped back to pass on 35 of 49 offensive plays for a designed pass percentage of 71%. Until Monday night, they hadn’t won a game this season with a season when at least 70% of their plays were designed passes. The Steelers are now 2-7 this season when Roethlisberger has at least 40 pass attempts. The only other win came against Seattle in Week…