PITTSBURGH — Reality came quickly after the greatest day — statistically at least — of Ben Roethlisberger’s career.

Less than 24 hours after throwing for a career-high 522 yards and six touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s 51-34 romp over Indianapolis, Roethlisberger was on daddy duty, changing the diapers of his two young children and already pondering a familiar challenge for the surging Steelers: Baltimore.

“Life goes on and that’s the realistic part of it,” Roethlisberger said. “You have to put it behind you just as if you had a bad game. ... There’s no point in sitting here dwelling on the past when we have a big one this week.”

Pittsburgh (5-3) raised the stakes considerably after blowing out the streaking Colts for its second straight win following seven weeks of erratic play. The team that turned it over three times and committed nine penalties in a 26-6 road loss to the Ravens in early September has now piled up 81 points and 10 touchdowns in its last seven quarters.

Maintaining that kind of pace will be difficult in a series known for low-scoring, taut games. Nine of the last 11 meetings between the clubs have been decided by three points or less regardless of the venue or the stakes. Baltimore hardly plays the role of intimidated visitor at Heinz Field: The Ravens (5-3) are 3-1 in their last four regular-season games in Pittsburgh.

“I love it because they put so much energy into hating you,” Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “You obviously are doing something, so it’s kind of flattering. I take it as a sign of respect.”

Even with two months to go, the prime-time showdown could be a separation game in the cramped AFC North, where all four teams are over .500. Baltimore’s loss in Cincinnati last week gave the Bengals a season sweep.