Bengals Lose WildCard Game on Two Wild Penalties

Photo Credit: Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The streak was finally going to be broken! Cincinnati fans were finally going to be able to rejoice with their football team.

Backup quarterback AJ McCarron had put his team up 16-15 with less than two minutes remaining in the game.  The Steelers had lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after he was injured on a sack by Vontaze Burfict and Landry Jones could not get the Steelers anywhere near field goal range and instead turned the ball over with linebacker Vontaze Burfict intercepting his pass.  The Bengals had the ball back and just had to hold on to it.  Of course, nothing is easy for the Bengals when it comes to the playoffs and wouldn’t you know running back Jeremy Hill fumbled the ball and Pittsburgh was able to recover.

By some “miraculous cure” Roethlisberger was able to take the field once again. Down one and 1:23 remaining the game, it was going to take some extra help for the Steelers to keep they season alive.   Roethlisberger found his favorite target Antonio Brown down the field to put the team in field goal range.  Burfict, who had made what looked like the play of the game just minutes before, drilled Brown knocking him to the ground for a few very scary moments.  The linebacker received a flag immediately for the hit for unsportsmanlike conduct making the Steelers field goal kick even closer.  Brown was later diagnosed with a concussion.

As if that penalty did not appear costly enough, cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones decided to get in on the action taking aim at Steelers linebacker coach Joey Porter being on the field to check on Brown who was still down.  According to the NFL, coaches are not allowed to be on the field without permission from the referees.  Jones was trying to convey this point, however, instead of maintaining composure, he chose to push Porter which drew another flag making the Steelers field goal even closer.

Steelers’ kicker Chris Boswell made the chip shot to keep Pittsburgh season alive and end the Bengals.  Unfortunately, the Bengals only have themselves to blame for this one. Both Jones and Burfict are known for their aggressive style of play, but both are smarter than their actions.  Jeremy Hill apologized to fans last night on Twitter for his role in the epic collapse.

This ones on me… This city this organization deserves better only thing to do is continue to fight and come back stronger

— Jeremy Hill (@JeremyHill33) January 10, 2016

Jones took out his frustration with the refs on Instagram, posting a profanity-laced video and then deleting it.  He posted another video shortly after showing a much calmer outlook on the game and while he was wrong for pushing a coach, he did know the rules better the referees, shocking refs didn’t know a rule.  Burfict, who is likely going to face a suspension for his hit on Brown, had nothing to say after the game.

It is time to really evaluate this Bengals team.  This team has made the playoffs every season since 2011, but has nothing to show for it.  A late game collapse shows a lack of mental toughness and changes need to happen if this team ever expects to win a playoff game.  The team lost its composure after fighting so hard to make a comeback in the second half.  The Bengals have a lot more questions than answers this offseason.