Bengals Meltdown Instigated By Steelers Coaches/Players

Alright folks.  As a diehard Bengals fan, it’s been hard not to post about last night’s Bengals/Steelers playoff game.  Being that many Kentucky fans are also fans of both of these teams, there’s things coming out today that I wanted to point out.

First, allow me to say this.  No, the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t deserve to win the game.  They played awful, and had a complete meltdown as a team in the closing minutes.  Of course the Steelers were going to win.  As a fanbase all together, it was an embarrassment and frustrating game for both teams.

Next issue – this play by Vontaze Burfict that injured Antonio Brown was completely uncalled for.  As a lifelong fan of this franchise, it was stupid and I believe a long suspension will follow as it should.  One player does not represent an entire organization, but as a Bengals fan we must accept the consequences of one’s bad actions.  I won’t argue that it was illegal, but I’ll also add that people didn’t cheer/celebrate when Brown laid injured on the field either.  The scary play ultimately was a result of the referees losing all control.  How did they lose control?

This hit by Ryan Shazier on Gio Bernard went unflagged.  All hell broke loose afterwards.  Players immediately ran on to the field in a giant scuffle, while fans began rioting and throwing things onto the field.  The hit was, by rule, crowning.

ARTICLE 8. INITIATING CONTACT WITH THE CROWN OF THE HELMET. It is a foul if a runner or tackler initiates forcible contact by delivering a blow with the top/crown of his helmet against an opponent when both players are clearly outside the tackle box (an area extending from tackle to tackle and from three yards beyond the line of scrimmage to the offensive team’s end line). Incidental contact by the helmet of a runner or tackler against an opponent shall not be a foul.

Game officials completely lost control here.  What made matters worse was when Shazier and UK’s own Bud Dupree took the ball into the endzone and excessively celebrated, all while Bernard lie motionless 60 yards back.  Officials did penalize the celebration after Pittsburgh won the challenge.  It’s just the type of hit Bengals fans have put up with for years, and call it what you must, the fans at PBS displayed their frustration.  I didn’t agree with the throwing of plastic bottles at all. Those few fans were showing their frustration with the officiating, the disrespect from players, and overall poor play from the Bengals.  I’ve seen worse actions at other NFL stadiums.

Moving on, once all control was lost, Burfict and Jones were mad-men.  Burfict made a sack on Big Ben which injured the Steelers’ QB.  Cheers filled PBS and more bottles were thrown at him. That was where fans took it too far, actually trying to hit an injured player.  Nonetheless the Cincinnati area hates Roethlisberger.  Depending on who you ask, many fans will say he should’ve still been behind bars.  That’s a story for a different day.

Lastly, following the crucial fumble by Jeremy Hill that gave the Steelers the ball back with 1:23 left, the hit by Burfict on Brown occurred.  The 15 yard penalty was the right call.  Burfict actually should have been ejected, but he wasn’t.  This allowed Steelers’ assistant Joey Porter, a former player, to come out onto the field and get in Burfict’s face inside the Bengals’ huddle.  This was a clear violation of NFL rules.

Rule 13.1.2

Either or both team attendants and their helpers may enter the field to attend their team during a team timeout by either team. No other non-player may come on the field without the Referee’s permission, unless he is an incoming substitute (5-2-2).

During any team timeout, all playing rules continue in force. Representatives of either team are prohibited from entering the field unless they are incoming substitutes, or team attendants or trainers entering to provide for the welfare of a player, and any game-type activities are prohibited on the Field of Play.

For whatever the reason, the referees decided to flag only the Bengals for pushing him out of their huddle instead of also flagging Porter for the violation.  Give the Steelers another 15 yards.  Game over.  Meltdown complete.  The Bengals reacted just how Porter wanted, and for that I’m more angry at Adam Jones.  The situation after the illegal hit could’ve been dealt with much better.  If anything, officials should’ve reacted sooner, rightfully ejected Burfict, and kept players and coaches separated.

This afternoon Adam Schefter confirmed that Porter violated NFL rules and will be fined for instigating a game-deciding penalty.

Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter will be fined for coming on to field Saturday night and engaging Bengals players, per a source.

– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 10, 2016

Nonetheless, the Bengals lost control and fell for everything the Steelers did.  They tried to play the Steelers’ style and got beat.  Oh and don’t forget about Mike Munchak in the first half.

CBS Sports confirmed that Steelers assistant Mike Munchak faces a “significant fine” for yanking Reggie Nelson on the sideline.  Just another typical Steelers antic everyone seemed to forget about.

Yes, Burfict made an illegal, dangerous hit on Antonio Brown.  Yes, he should be suspended.  Yes, the Bengals lost the game by stupidity.  However, the commentary from Jim Nance and Phil Simms turned biased, as well as others in the media following the hit by Burfict, turning EVERYONE against Cincinnati.  Just remember, there’s two sides to every story. Pittsburgh played instigator all night long.  Cincinnati fans in attendance took the bait and voiced their feelings in the only way they thought they could.  The whole city was embarrassed because they felt they were being cheated yet again.  However, in the end, throwing stuff and players losing their head cost them the game instead. 

This post is made solely of my opinion, so if you disagree, let me have it.  I’m not defending the actions that took place, I’m just pointing out that the Cincinnati Bengals will not stand for these type of embarrassments.  The Bengals fanbase and organization was embarrassed by the actions of a few.  Do not let that take away from players and fans who love the game.  The thing that bothered me the most was how everything the Steelers did throughout the game simply was forgotten because of stupidity at the end. Overall, I felt like Cincinnati was unfairly labeled all over media because of certain players, and should not represent what the Bengals are all about. The Bengals are not the thugs social media is playing us out to be.  The few bad eggs (Burfict/Jones) will soon be gone, but don’t forget that the Steelers have some too.

This Bengals/Steelers game has gone from a fun rivalry, to a brutal, hostile environment.  Just look at how many players have been injured in these matchups over the years.  At some point, both teams need to take responsibility. In the end, that’s what I’m getting at, as I could care less about the outcome of last night’s game right now.