Steelers comeback against Bengals.
The weather turned rainy and ugly in Cincinnati, Monday night. So was the football game played in Paul Brown Stadium. The Pittsburgh Steelers came back from a 17-0, second quarter deficit to win, 23-20 in the waning seconds. If the Steelers winning for the 14th time in the past 16 meetings against Cincinnati at the jungle wasn't ugly enough for them, these two teams set the NFL safety of the players campaign back to the stone age. Unfortunately, Monday night's ugliness is customary when these two line up.
The Bengals jumped out to their 17 point lead with a 35 yard field goal and two A.J. Green touchdown catches of 8 and 15 yards. The Steelers got on the board just before the half with a 30 yard Chris Boswell field goal; but that wasn't the first half story.
Steeler linebacker, Ryan Shazier injured his lower back attempting a tackle during the first quarter. He was carted off on a stretcher. The worry that the injury could involve the spinal cord. No information was given from the hospital as of late Monday night other than Shazier was conscious. The Bengals lost Adam Jones to a groin injury during the interception on the Steelers opening drive and running back, Joe Mixon was concussed before the half.
The rain fell a bit heavier as the second half got under way, and the game became more gloomier. The penalties were racking up as the Steelers put up their first touchdown; a 35 yard Ben Roethlisberger pass to Le'Veon Bell. The Bengals answered with a field goal for a 20-10 lead.
The Steelers seemed to wake up early in the fourth quarter when Bell steamrolled cornerback, Dre Kirkpatrick on a fourth and one conversion. Boswell would hit his second field goal to pull the Steelers back to within one score. Pittsburgh tied the game about seven minutes later with an Antonio Brown touchdown catch. Brown, who came into this game nursing a toe injury, took a shot to the head in the end zone, not the first time against Cincinnati. It was an ugly end to that 80 yard possession where three personal fouls were called. One on Steeler receiver, Ju Ju Smith-Schuster for a head to head collision with linebacker, Vontaze Burfict; knocking him out of the game.
The Bengals promptly went three and out and the Steelers took possession about a minute after the Brown touchdown. Cincinnati received a heavy dose of the Killer Bees as Ben and Bell drove the ball to the Bengals 26 yard line.
Boswell kicked the winning 38 yard field goal that was aided by a Bengal offside penalty. The 173 penalty yards is a new franchise record for the Bengals. This referee crew should safely capture the top crew to toss the flags around after this game. Combined, there was 239 penalty yards.
Also of note in this game is another Bengal meltdown. They are the lowest scoring second half team in the league and the three second half points produced Monday night kept them there. Pittsburgh outgained Cincinnati, 159-13 in the fourth quarter.
The fine envelopes should be plentiful for both teams this week. I wouldn't be suprised that Smith-Schuster gets suspended for the Baltimore game.
The Steelers keep pace with the Patriots at 10-2 for the top playoff spot. This game may signal another playoff less year for Cincinnati. They have to win out at 5-7 for a chance at a Wild Card. Will Bengal owner, Mike Brown run out of patience with coach, Marvin Lewis if they are finished after the New Year?
