Bengal Billy

Hue is a good coach. As previously stated, Cleveland needs to give him enough time to try and legitimately turn that team around. If they continue with the revolving door philosophy they'll remain bottom dwellers.

I also think he got a raw deal in Oakland. He pushed for the trade that sent a few valuable picks to Cincy for acquiring Carson Palmer. That didn't have immediate results, so it probably led to impatience with Hue by the Raiders (pure speculation).

Look at Palmer right now though. Maybe Hue knew what he was doing after all.

There's alot of stuff that should/shouldn't have been penalized/fined during that mess of a game (for both sides of the field). There should've been ejections, control of/from coaches on both sides, but it's all debatable depending on which side of the "field" a person is on (if they're not that open-minded, that is).

^^To the Porter discussion above:

I've read on other sites that the NFL is going to fine Porter for his actions, and admitted that he should've been flagged too. I cannot confirm/deny that though, so take it for what it's worth.

However, if Porter does get fined, then he obviously DID do something as well in the eyes of the league. But, what's done is done. I'm not concerned over it. Jones should've held that emotion in check.

-- The hit on Bernard by Shazier actually won the game for the Steelers in my opinion (and I'm not debating if it should've been a flag or not. It could've been one, which negated a fumble: or, it could've been a Pitt TD, , I have no interest in debating it).

All season long, Cincy had been using Gio Bernard late in "game-winning" situations when ball security is imperative. Because Gio was knocked out,, they had to put Hill in that situation. Jeremy Hill has had serious fumbling issues for the past 2 seasons. He was actually "benched" a couple times this year because of it, and was not too happy about it.

When the Bengals had the ball with 1:30 or so left on the clock,, and I saw Hill in the game, I knew he would cough it up. I told my buddy Hill would give it back. Sure enough, it happened.

So, regardless of any feeling toward Shazier's hit,, it actually was extremely critical to the outcome of the game. Kudos to him for that.

I think it's really possible. Chiefs have a really strong DL and are going against the weak Patriots OL. They have quality CB and safety that could eliminate the NE passing game and pass rushers that can put Tom Brady into retirement. It'll be a close game imo.

I'd love to see the Chiefs win this weekend and make a run at the Superbowl. They are playing really well, especially on defense. I hope you're right.

Although it's not real likely, Chiefs vs Packers for the 50th anniversary Superbowl would be really cool.

At some point, he is going to have to get his head out of his own butt. Whether an opponent does something blatant to him or his own coaching staff has to do something. It's just a detriment to his own team. The rest of them are out there playing their asses off and he's getting dumb 15 yarders because he acts like a child.

^Complete truth right there.

I've hears rumors (not actual reports) of many Bengals players none too happy with how that crap cost them in the biggest game of the year. AJ Green was one of the most vocal about it from what I heard (can't substantiate it though).

Geno Atkins. Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Gilberry, Mauluga, and all of the offensive players out there giving it all to win a playoff game with a backup QB had to sit and endure that crap.

If something doesn't change or tighten up with the Bengals (hello Marvin),, the legit talented players on the team are just screwed. That's completely unfair to them.

They don't need Burfict,, they were doing more than fine without him anyway.

Adam Jones might end up sticking around. But, he is nearing his last years in the league. Cincy has drafted/groomed young defensive backs (Kirkpatrick, Denard, and a couple others). They would be fine if he just moved on too.

^^ That's a very good writeup Donovan. I completely agree with that sentiment.

I say suspend him or cut him too. He's a danger/detriment to the league (although he is certainly not the only player in the league like that). NFL needs to be much harsher on discipline for a great many types of infractions.

He cost the Bengals their biggest game of the season.

Cincy was winning games (they were 6-0) before he even started playing this year. Vinny Rey and Lemur are good enough to play alongside Mauluga and still get the job done. Burfict needs to go.

We could go on and on about other players on other teams that are "trash" (to quote another team's fan),, but that would be a never ending, getting-nowhere discussion.

-Suspend Burfict longer (or Cincy should cut him)

-NFL get much tougher on discipline for players around the whole league

Don't apologize for how you really feel. I loved it. Your hatred for the Sleelers rivals ours.

^Thx DMcR

Man...tell us how you really feel?

Lol. Sry it was such a long vent. Although I realize it's natural to associate moronic actions of one person to the entire group,, it just bothers me when it happens (no matter what group it is).

Also,, I've never personally witnessed any real trouble at PBS before (and I've been there lots if times). Only once have I seen a couple intoxicated people come close to getting in some trouble,, but it never materialized. I'm not surprised that it would happen though in a crowd of 60,000 or so (always a ton of opponents fans in Cincy too,, but I've never had any issue).

That article mentioned about half the culprits were Bengals fans and the other culprits were Steelers fans. I'm sure there were moronic fans of both teams starting stuff somewhere.

Looks like Saturday set an arrest record for fans at the Bengals game. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/01/10/6-arrested-assaults-during-bengals-game/78590842/

Geez. I'm glad that trash got arrested. Moronic behavior is moronic behavior, no matter who does it. "People punching women in the face" and "Throwing beer cans into people's faces causing lacerations" is absolutely inexcusable.

And, whoever that piece of crap was that threw a can/bottle at Ben as he was being carted off, deserved to be arrested and humiliated for the piece of trash they are. I REALLY hope the security at PBS found that dope that threw the bottle and kicked his "you know what" all the way out. They also deserve a permanent ban from attending any future games.

Having attended PBS on many occasions,, I've found/encountered many level-headed, nice, and cordial people. Every fan base has complete "jerks" in them. Every one. But, that certainly does not mean that every person in that fan base is exactly like that trash. That couldn't be further from the truth.

I've encountered many cool Philly and Steelers fans. Of course those 2 fan bases have reputations and some trashy morons that go with it. But, those classless acting people do not account/represent the entire base. Not even close.

Plz,, plz don't think that the actions of a few classless, moronic, ignorant, trashy people represent what the entire fan base is like. It's not the truth. I'm 100% positive that most level-headed Cincy fans are completely embarrased and disgusted by the classless actions of a few. I know I am.

As a Bengals fan, I wish they would just suspend Burfict indefinitely or do away with him. He's just completely out of control. That guy belongs in the NFL of the 60s/70s,, and even then would be a little too much for that.

Bengals don't need that "you know what".

They went 6-0 without him to start the year anyway.

NFL needs to stiffen up with punishments. Far too many seriously low character guys are allowed to play in the league after just "slap on the wrists". It's getting ridiculous.

I wonder Bengals fans are satisfied with that.

As a long time fan (really long time due to my old age, lol), of course I'm not satisfied with that. Every fan wants to see their team succeed and win a championship, absolutely.

That being said:

As a football fan, if that is the only thing that mattered, there would be no point in even watching games until January. I mean, who would care about the whole rest of the season?

Football is exciting to watch. There are big games and fun times to be had during the whole season.

Why would fans attend/watch a game in October if the only thing that mattered was what happens in January? Does an October game vs a division rival or another top NFL team not mean anything to anyone? Of course it does. The gameday experience, action on the field, potential game drama, rooting for your team, etc are all a huge part of it and will continue to be exciting.

Ask fans of teams like the Jags, Titans, Browns, Dolphins, etc if they wished their favorite team was very competitive and played exciting games just about every season. They would definitely take that over the hopelessness crap they have to endure each and every year. It all matters.

K,, back on playoff topic (I apologize Mods):

I still think Pitt will win the Superbowl.

It's just like 2005 (10 years ago) when they won it all vs the Seahawks.

2005

WC Round - won @ #3 Cincy

Div Round - won @ Peyton Manning (Indy)

AFC Title - won @ Denver

Superbowl - won vs Seahawks

2015 is shaping up EERILY similar.

WC Round - won @ #3 Cincy

Div Round - facing Peyton Manning / playing at Denver

Pitt vs Seahawks in this year's Superbowl is likely as any other matchup.

I think this is actually the Joey Porter rule. But it is a rule and Burfict is lucky he wasn't tossed. I accept your comments on the Bengals...sorry I misread you.

No worries man.

- That's interesting about the "Joey Porter Rule". I didn't know that, but it makes sense.

- And yeah, I could see Burfict making a completely ignorant mistake and getting tossed out of this one.

He's an aggressive, intense, athletic football player for sure (a tackling machine). But, he's definitely not on any Wonderlic Honor Roll, lol.

By NFL rule, Burfict should have been ejected before the game started for crossing the 50. Its a plain and simply rule and he broke it.

Joey Porter did that same thing against Cincy on a couple occasions. I'm telling ya,, Burfict reminds me almost exactly of this generation's Porter (whether that's a good or bad thing is debatable I'm sure).

Yep, he is very talented and aggressive. Thats football. Its just the "your team cheats and intentionally tries to hurt people but my team plays above board and only retaliates to your stuff' that makes me shake my head. By NFL rule, Burfict should have been ejected before the game started for crossing the 50. Its a plain and simply rule and he broke it. And AJ Green should have been penalized for punting the football, another plain violation. This whole narrative that the Steelers get away with everything and others don't is a crock. I know you aren't saying this...its the Bengal guy I was responding to.

Again,, nowhere did I state or imply that the Bengals were "Golden Boy Mr Cleans" or "Mother Teresa in orange and white stripes". I know far better than that. That's just putting words in my mouth man.

Just curious if you watched how Burfict played in the last match-up? Did you cheer his low hits, late hits and penalized and fined plays? And if I used your logic...should I assume that Le Veon Bell was intentionally injured by the Bengals? Should I expect cheap hits from Burfict or others to try and put Ben or AB out of the game? Seriously, do you actually think a Steelers uniform means the guy has a black heart and a Bengals uniform makes him Mother Teresa in orange stripes? This total lack of objectivity is the worst thing about some fans.

I don't know where in my post that I inferred that the "Bengals uniform makes him a Mother Teresa in orange stripes". I certainly don't believe that and would never insinuate it purposely. I certainly acknowledge the Bengals are getting chippy/dirty too now.

Burfict will be watched really closely by the NFL in this one. Im sure that if he does something close to questionable, they'll eject him or fine him extremely hard. It'll happen.

It is pretty widely known among Bengals fans and ex-players that a few of the current players (certainly not all) are part of a team modeled after the Steelers from many years before. Joey Porter used to start fights and trash talk before games,, Burfict reminds me of the new Porter, lol. Steelers have had that reputation for many long years (some of it undeserved, sure).

These two teams,,, something will go down.

It'll get heated. But, I'm confident someone will go down early. I hope I'm wrong.

You're too nervous without reason. Bumblebees will lose second consecutive WC game due to not having RB 1 on the field. Steelers would have issues running the ball on CIN even if Williams was in, without him there's absolutely no chance. Can't beat Bengals with one-dimensional attack.

I hope you're right ABR!

As a fan of a division rival, even I hope he doesn't retire just yet (especially going out after a season-ending injury).

Suggs has been one of the true elite players at his position. And, the NFL is a much better league with guys like him playing in it.

Suggs' influence on games is terrific, especially in heated rivalry games with Pitt. I love watching every time the Ravens play at Heinz Field and Suggs starts terrorizing them. Great stuff.

Hope he comes back for you guys.

Wow...and we remember what happened with a certain Cincinnati QB. For this game and this game only, #whodey

Lol! ^ +1

Since it's the Steelers, how much you wanna bet that a key Bengals player gets hurt and knocked out of the game fairly early due to a real questionable play/hit?

I can almost guarantee it will happen again. In fact, I'd be shocked if it didn't.

**Side note - Bengals and Steelers players are already jawing and talking smack against each other yet again. It's gonna be "chippy".

I don't care who comes out of the NFC, but as long as the Steelers, Bengals, or Pats don't come out of the AFC, I'm good.

I'm thinking the Steelers make it to the Superbowl (although I certainly HOPE NOT!).

Coincidence?:

10 years ago from this season (2005), Cincinnati won the AFCN, while Pitt just snuck into the playoffs as the last Wildcard team.

-The first matchup in 2005 postseason was:

#6 Pitt @ #3 Cincy (just like 2015)

-Pitt won that game, and then went on the road to face Peyton Manning (then the Colts). If Pitt wins this weekend, they will then go on the road to face Peyton Manning again this year (in Denver).

-Of course, Pitt went all the way to a Superbowl Championship. This year is the 10th anniversary of that,, and the set-up is EERILY similar.

**Twilight Zone Music**

Gawd,,, I REALLY hope history doesn't repeat itself this season. But, I'm fearing it will, and then we'll be subjected to the "We got Seven" crap.

I'd rather the Bengals win over the Steelers. I really don't want the Steelers getting any closer to a 7th ring. It's hard enough hearing about the 6 they already have.

^^ Wholeheartedly agree with you there!

Most of the time I have to hear that "6 ring" stuff, the fans spewing that to me weren't even close to being born yet when Pitt got the first 4 of them. But, they still flaunt it anyway, lol.

I hope the Bengals have something for them this weekend, I really do. I'll be there rooting them on. But I just don't think they will. "Any Given Sunday",, we'll see.

The bungles are going down in the playoffs. I'm getting to dislike them a lot lol.

They'll lose this weekend, you're right. This was finally the year that the roster was fully healthy and playing like this was going to be a different postseason performance.

But now:

1. They have to roll with a very inexperienced AJ McCarron in his first big game

2. They have to face the one team that they terribly struggle with no matter what the situation (Steelers)

Cincy's going down.

side note - if only they could've held on and won against Denver. That would've given Cincy the #1 seed and they would've been set up nicely. But nope. Bungles.

Yea nothing physical obviously, but there will probably be a lot more animosity going on between the fans compared to what the environment was like today.

You're probably right. I've been to quite a few Bengals vs Steelers games in Cincy. I have seen a lot of "jawing" back and forth between fans, but not anything physical thank goodness. Emotions will probably be extra charged for a playoff game though.

Closest incident to physicality I witnessed was a few weeks ago at Bengals vs Steelers (the game Dalton/Eifert got hurt).

2 Steelers fans sitting directly in front of us were really intoxicated (not uncommon at a game). Anyway, around 3rd qtr when game was out of hand, those Steelers fans were getting pretty obnoxious. They were walking our of their seats towards the aisle, and one of them intentionally knocked a woman's drink and snacks out of her hands and it spilled all over her (it certainly looked intentional,, but he was very intoxicated). Fans all around them got in their face and demanded that he apologize and pay her for the money wasted on the concessions. Steelers fan was definitely at fault, but it quickly escalated into those two fans being surrounded by a pretty big mob in their face. It was VERY close to being a nasty physical situation when a couple security guys showed up,, thankfully to calm everything down.

I was very glad it didn't get any worse. But, stuff like that takes away from a great "gameday experience" and distracts from the actual game itself.

Thankfully that is the worst I've ever witnessed. Attending hundreds of Cincy games, I've always found courtesy and willingness to get along between Bengals fans and many other team's opposing fans. I've never had any problems at all with visiting Ravens fans. I have sat next to Ravens fans on a few occasions,, we've always gotten along and had a good time.

Cowboys and Steelers fans have been the most obnoxious. But, the above incident is the worst that I've personally witnessed.

I really hope nothing bad happens between fans at this next game that will ruin a playoff atmosphere experience for fans.

I'm very excited and I'm going to the game to hopefully see some fights between the team and the fans. It should be a very hostile environment on both fronts.

I'll be at the game too. But hopefully I won't have to witness fights between fans. That's No Bueno. Why would fans be fighting over something they have no control over? But I'm sure somewhere there will be some idiots doing that.

The teams on the other hand,, yeah that will probably get pretty "chippy".

Im not too sure of that. Would love to see the Redskins beat Seattle but i doubt it.

One little tidbit:

The last playoff game that Washington played was in the Wildcard round when they hosted Seattle.

Seattle won that game. It was the game RGIII got terribly injured.

I was there. It was a really fun atmosphere (except for the losing part, that is).

Revenge game for Washington coming up?