A quick observation of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and how he must improve in the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 13 game against New Orleans:

Drew Brees, who will lead the New Orleans Saints against the Steelers on Sunday, may be one of the most prolific passers in NFL history.

But Roethlisberger ranks ahead of Brees, as well as Denver's Peyton Manning -- the only active NFL quarterback with more passing yards than Brees -- in one key category.

Roethlisberger is averaging 7.85 yards per passing attempt for his career, fourth among active quarterbacks and ahead of Brees (7.50) and Manning (7.71).

Roethlisberger is averaging 7.92 yards per pass attempt this season and the 11th-year veteran is among the most successful quarterbacks in pushing the ball downfield.

Roethlisberger is tied with Manning and Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck for most passing plays that have covered at least 25 yards.

He is 2-1 lifetime against Brees and 16-3 against NFC teams at Heinz Field, though one those losses came earlier this season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Roethlisberger threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns in that game but the Steelers couldn’t protect a seven-point fourth-quarter lead in a 27-24 loss to the then-winless Buccaneers.