Ben Roethlisberger: Some Bengals Can’t Stand Vontaze Burfict’s Antics

The Bengals defense has been spectacular. He hooked up with Ben Roethlisberger for a 24-yard TD strike about halfway through the fourth quarter, and this proved to be the game-winning score.

The Steelers fell behind 17-3 and 20-6 in the first half before kicking a field goal with six seconds remaining in the second quarter to trim the lead to 20-9 as the Bengals scored on each of their four first-half possessions. We’re just trying to play a physical football game. They jumped out to a 10-3 lead and then went right back to work. If your kicker is the one making tackles, it shows that others are not doing, or incapable of doing, their jobs in coverage. “It’s always different when we play those guys”.

“Of course I was surprised”, Sims said.

“I was patient at the line”, Rogers explained, “and I ran with great speed, and gave (Josh Shaw) a nice head fake”. Every time it looks like either team is going to make another run, they have been humbled. “He didn’t hit them”.

“They let Pittsburgh do whatever they wanted to”, Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick fumed. “Christmas Day. We have to bring it like we do”. Something else that aided the Steelers in the second half were penalties. While most had been clamoring for Sammie Coates to return to the lineup after breaking two fingers against the New York Jets in the first half of the season, he made his triumphant return – at least from a snap total perspective. The four-game nap the Steelers took in the middle of the season appears to be a distant memory.

The second-half offensive meltdowns have come against everybody everywhere.

Just the game before last, up in Buffalo, William Gay picked off a pass that bounced off the hands of a falling wide receiver and returned it for a touchdown. “We didn’t protect the quarterback early on well enough”.

“We tackled better”, said Mike Tomlin. “Nobody’s keeping us out of the games, or in games or down to the wire”.

Hill, who rushed for 44 yards on his first 14 carries, but had -1 yards on the six attempts after taunting the Black & Gold. Much to his relief. I don’t care how it gets done. Both teams have seen most of their wins come against weaker competition. “We haven’t been able to get over that hump and win these types of games. It really hurts me”.

All season long, it’s as if they had a hangover from the playoffs, unable to do what’s needed to pull out a close game at the end. They didn’t press either.

For the last two weeks Fisher rotated in after Winston played two series.

The Bengals allowed Brian Boswell four more field goals and a 24-yard touchdown pass to Eli Rogers and lost, 24-20. He admitted his game got a boost when he started.

“A lot of satisfaction”, said Roethlisberger, who threw for 286 yards and one touchdown, of the victory. I think it all adds up.