Bengals Are Not So Burfict

The curse continues.

After what could’ve been the first playoff victory since 1991, the Cincinnati Bengals are now faced with a huge dilemma - what is to be done about the current coaching situation. Fans and players were left crying Saturday night, after a series of ridiculous penalties ensured a Pittsburgh game-winning field goal.

Entering the game with an 0-6 playoff record dating back to 1991, there were some raving expectations surrounding Cincinnati that this current team would be the team to end that losing streak and move on to face Tom Brady and the Patriots. The roster was there, and the Bengals were, overall, relatively healthy. One key difference was the quarterback position in which the rookie AJ McCarron was starting over the injured Andy Dalton. Many people actually pegged the Bengals to win this match-up because Andy Dalton and his poor playoff performances wasn’t here to potentially mess up another playoff run.

Throughout the game the Bengals were playing great defense against one of the NFL’s prolific offenses and were keeping them out of the endzone during redzone opportunities. Pittsburgh was 1-4 in the redzone - after a miraculous front-flip touchdown grab by Martavis Bryant - and were held to field goals for pretty much the entire game. Cincinnati didn’t find much success on offense either, as the Alabama product threw over 40 times while only completing 56% and posting meager numbers of 212 yards and a touchdown against the league’s 30th ranked pass defense, and as a team only rushed for 91 yards. Still, the defense put on a show and it seemed like the clock was in their favor toward the end of the game.

But it wouldn’t be a Bengals-Steelers game if it didn’t get chippy. There were a few altercations and trash talk throughout the game, even coaches joined in the fun. You can see assistant coach, Mike Munchak, tug on Reggie Nelson’s dreads as he fell toward the sideline after the play:

We all know the history of Pittsburgh coaches and their intuitive ways of getting directly involved with a play from the sidelines. You might remember the game in 2013 where head coach Mike Tomlin tripped Ravens receiver/returner Jacoby Jones on a kickoff return that would’ve given Baltimore 7 points. Instead it resulted in a 15 yard penalty and a $100,000 fine on Tomlin.

The trend of coaching interference have not ceased. Bengals middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict delivered a vicious hit on the helmet of Antonio Brown that knocked him out clean, prompting the coaches to run to the field to check up on their star receiver. However, one of the Steelers assistant, Joey Porter didn’t take too kindly of the illegal hit and began to talk trash to the other Bengal players. This facilitated a response from cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones and the refs flagged Jones for unsportsmanlike conduct.

After the Bengals were in full control defending against an injured Roethlisberger for the final drive of the game, penalties cost them. On the Cincinnati 47 yard line with :22 seconds remaining, Burfict received the 15-yard penalty on the hit on Brown. Soon after, Jones received a 15-yard penalty that would take the Steelers to their own 22 yard line. The Steelers received a gift from the football gods while the Bengals still struggle with their demons.

There is speculation that after the game, Joey Porter received high praise from fellow players and coaches on his big contribution to winning the game. One Steelers player told ESPN that Porter is “definitely the MVP” of the game. The controversial event was later recalled by “Pacman” Jones in a rather profound manner in a video he posted on Instagram stating, “The ref did a horrible f---ing job. You got f--ing Jerry [Joey] Porter on the middle of the f---ing field talking s--- to everybody then when somebody say something to him he ain't supposed to be on the f---ing field." A vulgar, yet somewhat true statement by Adam Jones that was later reiterated by Burfict, “That’s why Adam pushed him [Porter]. He shouldn’t be on the field cussing us out.”

Well, in the NFL rulebook, which is equivalent to the Da Vinci code when trying to decipher it, it does seem to favor Jones in this case. According to Rule 13.1.2, only trainers are allowed to tend to an injured player on the field, and coaches would need permission from the officials to go unto the field. The NFL is expected to fine Porter according to Adam Schefter but it seems well worth it given the victory.

As far as the Bengals go, a change in the coaching staff might very well be in order. After going 0-7 since 1991, and 0-6 in the playoffs under Marvin Lewis, many argue that he lacks the leadership capabilities to take the team to next level. Especially after he failed to control the disorientation of the players and handle the situation. CBS analyst Boomer Esiason noted, “If Lewis can't control his players, then maybe Marvin Lewis shouldn't be on the sideline coaching that drek.” Andy Dalton is immune for the blame this season, so the next man up is Marvin Lewis, and a new voice is perhaps what it takes for the Bengals to finally win a game in January, because the talent is certainly there.

Another year of postseason disappointment for the Orange and Black means another year of reevaluating.