CINCINNATI -- The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t need a reminder of Heath Miller's importance to the offense, but viewers of Sunday’s 33-20 win in Cincinnati got just that.

Miller is the perfect safety valve in the middle of the field when the offense can't go deep, and despite several weapons on the outside, Ben Roethlisberger might be using Miller more than ever right now.

With 42 targets in his past five games, the ball is likely coming his way Sunday against Denver, which hasn't given up a 300-yard passing game all year. The Broncos will try to force some checkdowns, which means some methodical, move-the-chains action for the 33-year-old Miller.

Heath Miller caught all 10 of his targets on Sunday against the Bengals to go with 10 receptions in the teams' first meeting this season. AP Photo/Frank Victores

Miller's involvement often depends on the matchup -- he's an excellent run-blocker -- but after Sunday’s 10-catch, 66-yard performance, Miller is setting a career receiving pace that won’t materialize because of injuries.

The numbers are sort of surprising, considering all the fireworks from the Steelers' offense. For the 28 quarters Roethlisberger and Miller have been healthy and and on the same field together, Miller has 44 catches for 404 yards.

That works out to 100 catches and 944 yards over a 16-game season. Over 11 years, Miller's career highs are 76 and 816. Big Ben is relying on Miller more than ever.

Miller’s numbers dipped drastically when Roethlisberger missed four-plus games with a sprained MCL, and Miller has missed about six quarters with a hip issue.

Ailments haven't affected Roethlisberger's faith in his longtime buddy cop co-star.

“Probably the best teammate I’ve ever been around and one of the best all-around tight ends in the game,” Roethlisberger said after Sunday's game.

When Markus Wheaton broke out with 251 yards against Seattle and Indianapolis, Miller was off the field because of injury. Translation: Because of his chemistry with the quarterback, Miller still gets most of the short-to-intermediate routes not thrown to Antonio Brown.

But Wheaton and Miller can coexist in the middle of the field, as Sunday showed. The Bengals were set on stopping the Steelers’ deep ball, so Roethlisberger had to rely on checkdowns and short passes.

That was fine by Miller, who caught screen passes, tough catches over the middle and even what looked like an option pitch as Roethlisberger avoided a sack. Wheaton added 65 yards on four catches.

Watch for this recipe against Denver if the Broncos give extra safety help to the outside. The Broncos, considered an elite defense, have given up 63 catches for 720 yards and five touchdowns to tight ends, according to ESPN Fantasy Football records. If Cleveland's Gary Barnidge can score two touchdowns on Denver, maybe Miller can too.

“Whether plays break down or don’t break down, you’re looking for Heath,” Roethlisberger said.