Ben Roethlisberger wary of Detroit Lions defensive threat

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has said that he is well aware of the threat the Detroit Lions defensive unit poses.

In Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley the Lions boast two of the toughest defensive tackles in the NFL, and Roethlisberger admits that he will have to be on his game when the sides meet this weekend.

Roethlisberger told ESPN: "Yeah, you've got to be careful. You'll end up dead if you're not careful as this is a great D-line and defense.

"I tell myself all the time to be alert for those things. But then, when the bullets are flying, who knows what's going to happen?"

The two-time Super Bowl-winning star has a habit for holding on to the ball for longer than most, meaning that he has been sacked more than any other quarterback in the league over the past five years.