By Phillip Murray

       What started out as a tough defensive battle throughout the first quarter and a half, erupted into a game filled with unrest, high emotions, and controversial behavior on behalf of the Bengals. It was expected that this matchup would be a very heated and thrilling contest between two divisional opponents with a history of hate towards each other. Even in pre game warm ups, both the Steelers and Bengals including their coaching staff had to be on separate sides of the field, and with referee supervision were not allowed to interact with each other. During the game Occasional fights broke out amongst players and even between players and opposing coaching staff. It wasn’t until the second part of the second quarter did the Steelers’ offense start to get into a rhythm. With their breakout backup RB Deangelo Williams out, Pittsburgh still managed to have great success running the ball.Running backs Toussaint and Todman combined for 123 yards on the ground. Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley really got the Steelers to effectively move the ball down the field that set a sensational passing TD from Ben Roethlisberger to Montavious Bryant. Taking advantage of backup quarterback AJ Mccarron being in his first playoff game, Pittsburgh’s defense have the young QB plenty of problems for 3 quarters, causing multiple pressure situations and forcing turnovers. The Bengals defensive led by Vontez Burfict also was inflicting its will on Roethlisberger, including a critical but painful sack to force Big Ben to be out of the game.
With Roethlisberger out, the Bengals capitalized on the opportunity and began to find their stride. Cincinnati quickly. Came back early in the 4th quarter via a TD run from Jeremy hill set by a pass interference call on the Steelers secondary. Keeping the momentum going, on the next drive AJ Mccarron showed flashes of his Alabama days, orchestrating a 82 yard scoring drive effective moving the chains to set a 25 yard TD pass to AJ Green, to give the Bengals the lead 16-15 with 1:50 left in the game. As Landry Jones Came out in place of Roethlisberger, it was once again Vontez Burfict to be the Bengal impact player to get a diving interception. With 1:37 left, Cincinnati had an opportunity to seal the game. But with a fumble turnover by Jeremy Hill along with 30 penalty yards caused by Burfict due to a horrific  personal foul head shot to Antonio Brown, and the disruptiveness by Adam Jones put the Steelers within field goal range to win the game. With 18 seconds left Chris Boswell sinked the game winning 35 yard FG to give Pittsburgh the 18-16 win and advance to the AFC Divisional round to face Denver.

This was a loss the Bengals could have easily avoided even with the Steelers having possession of the ball. All of Pittsburgh’s timeouts were used and before the Burfict hit on Antonio Brown,  the Steelers were still out of field goal range and would have to attempt a 55 yard FG in the rain. What millions of people witnessed in that last 2 minutes of the 4th quarter, was undisciplined, unsportsmanlike, and to a degree ruthless and barbaric behavior on behalf of the Bengals. “It was embarrassing  to watch”  a statement echoed, by fans spectators, former Bengals players, and analysts. Marvin Lewis has now lost 5 consecutive playoff appearances in 7 years and still has to win a playoff game in his stint as Bengals head coach. The actions that were displayed by the Bengals players were heavy reflections of Marvin Lewis and most speculate, due to the ineptitude to win in the post season and as shown on Saturday night, by not being able to control his players, will ultimately cost him his job. What should have a been a celebration in Cincinnati is now an heartache defeat that will no doubt linger well throughout the off-season