PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger is threatening to erase some of the Pittsburgh Steelers' most significant single-season passing statistics.

Not all of them are records he wants to own.

With 23 touchdown passes, he is five away from tying Terry Bradshaw's 1978 record of 28, with six games to play. He is also on pace to have the best quarterback rating and might push Bradshaw's record of 3,724 yards in 1979 with a few more big games.

Then there's the statistic Roethlisberger and the Steelers want least: Most times sacked, 51, Cliff Stoudt in 1983.

Roethlisberger, despite being one of the NFL's strongest and most mobile quarterbacks, has been dumped 30 times in 10 games, including a season-high seven times Sunday by the New York Jets. At this rate, he'll be sacked 48 times, or two more than a season ago when Roethlisberger struggled most of the season. Another game like Sunday's, and he might be in Stoudt territory.

Roethlisberger, who has more TD passes (23) and fewer interceptions (8) than any NFL quarterback except for Tom Brady of New England, has avoided the numerous physical problems that disrupted his 2006 season — his preseason motorcycle crash, appendicitis attack and concussions.

Still, asked how feels at this stage of the season compared to his first three seasons, Roethlisberger said, "A little more beat up, but that comes with the territory of being the quarterback and getting hit. I think we'll be able to shut that down real soon."

Coach Mike Tomlin is making quarterback protection a primary concern going into Monday night's game against the Miami Dolphins (0-10).