Before we begin, I was 4-0 in my wildcard predictions so no divisional Predictions this week because they all stay the same. Now we move on to the task at hand.
Gritty, disgraceful, brutal, and warlike are all words some would use to describe the game between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. We jump to the fourth quarter, in the first quarter there was no scoring and only 2 field goals scored in the second quarter putting the Steelers up 6-0. The lackluster first half was largely contributed to the weather, sheets of rain fell to the ground throughout the first half at Paul Brown stadium. It didn’t help Cincinnati that AJ Mcaaron choked in the clutch and threw an interception toward the end of the half either. In the 3rd quarter Pittsburgh started rolling and went on a scoring drive that saw Martavius Bryant make an Odell Beckham- eques catch in the end zone. That put the Steelers up 15-0 going into the 4th, and that is when the chaos ensued.
It all started with a check down pass to Bengals running back Giovani Bernard, Bernard made the catch planted both feet and then to a nasty helmet to helmet hit with Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier that knocked him out cold. This hit however was legal because after Bernard got both feet down he was not a defenseless player. The Bengal faithful were none too happy about that and neither was Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict. You see Burfict had been antagonizing the Steelers after every play it seemed he just continued to nag at them. The hit on Bernard however set him off, on the ensuing drive Burfict brought down Big Ben hard on his shoulder, the hit was by no means dirty it was simply that Rothlisberger had landed awkwardly on his right throwing shoulder. Enter Landry Jones and a punt; this gave the Bengals excellent field position. Then on perhaps Mcaarons best drive of the night he found AJ Green with a floater at the one yard line. Green continued to effortlessly break a tackle and walk into the end zone to give the Bengals a chance now only down by three, 13-15. Then a quick field goal by Cincinnati and a Steelers turnover forced by Vontaze Burfict the game looked to be over. All the Bengals had to do was get a first down and the game was practically over and then seemingly on cue running back Jeremy Hill fumbled the football. So the Steelers start the drive at their own ten yard line drive to mid field and then, BOOM. You could hear the hit with the ball nowhere near Steelers receiver Antonio Brown Burfict lead helmet to helmet in a collision that sent Brown to the ground like a rag doll out cold. The Deal wasn’t done yet though. With both benches flooding on to the field in a skirmish Adam Jones of the Bengals shoves a referee. The penalty sending the Steelers to the 35 yard line for a chip shot field goal that ended another promising Bengals season early.
So what happened? Who’s to blame? Coaches, Refs, Fans? Why did the game get so out of hand in the fourth quarter? I believe the answer is simple; Marvin Lewis has lost control of this Bengals team. From the time Shazier hit Bennard it was obvious the Bengals were going to melt down. In my opinion that’s where you blame the league and the refs. Even if Bennard plants his feet and takes a step forward it was obvious Shazier was going for the knockout. The rule needs to be changed if it is an aggressive head to head hit meaning; if the defender launches himself into the hit and leads with his helmet, no matter if the runner had two steps already or not it should be a penalty. That’s the only part though in my opinion where the league was at fault in this game. After that hit the Bengals players completely lost control. Before the next drive Lewis should have pulled the defense aside and talked them down because the hit on Rothlisberger sent the Steelers into a complete spiral of disaster. The tensions began to boil over between the two teams with another skirmish. Then the fans got in on it, as Ben was being carted off fans were cheering and throwing debris at him. Now I’m not making excuses for the fans but this organization has let them down they haven’t won a playoff game since the 90’s. It’s completely disgraceful the way the fans acted though. It’s safe to say no one not even the Steelers went out of Paul brown stadium without feeling sick. The feeling the Steelers had more likely, relief.
So what’s next? For the Steelers they head to Denver with a beat up Big Ben. That fares well for a Broncos defense he dismantled earlier this season. Meanwhile for the Bengals I think this spells the beginning of the end for Marvin Lewis. If the Bengals don’t win a playoff game next year Lewis in all likelihood will be out of a job. There’s also a question at Quarter back to believe it or not, AJ Mcaaron proved he could compete and played relatively well when it wasn’t pouring down rain. Andy Dalton has never won a playoff game Mcaaron nearly won one, whatever happens there’s definitely going to be more drama from the queen city this offseason.