The Pittsburgh Steelers start backup quarterback Charlie Batch in place of Ben Roethlisberger for the second week in a row, who has been ruled out again as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery.

Batch started this past Sunday against the Packers, and basically was told to "manage" the game. Batch only completed nine passes for 65 yards and threw one interception early on that could have been costly.

"Hopefully, we'll be more efficient throwing the ball," said Steelers' head coach Bill Cowher. "It's not all on him. We had protection breakdowns at times, but it's just something we have to get better at. We can't get through games throwing for 65 yards and thinking we can win week in and week out."

If quarterback Tommy Maddox had not struggled so much in the Steelers loss to Jacksonville a few weeks ago, then he would be filling in for Big Ben.

Batch may be without both running back Jerome Bettis and starter Willie Parker due to injury. If that is the case, then Duce Staley, who carries the ball well against the Packers, would get the start.

Maddox would enter the game if something were to happen to Batch this Sunday.