Ben Roethlisberger has said that the Pittsburgh Steelers' failure to make the 2012 playoffs was made tougher by the Baltimore Ravens' success at the Super Bowl.
The Steelers lost three of their last four games last season, ensuring a third-placed finish in the AFC North.
The team's starting quarterback told USA Today: "When it's not you, you never like it, and when it's someone in your division, it's always tougher. It's just motivation to be better this year.
"I just had a bad year. It happens. Normally, at this point in my career, [organised team activities] are boring. But this has been good. I'm still learning this stuff."
Roethlisberger missed three games in 2012, having sustained rib and shoulder injuries mid-way through the campaign.
