Two of the Ravens’ AFC North rivals did a pretty great job of reinforcing the fans’ hatred toward them. The officials ignored a rule, when they allowed Joey Porter pretty much inside of the Bengals’ huddle to antagonize their players. Another coach, Mike Munchak, also has crimes for which he will be fined this week. Bucky Brooks gave a clairvoyant preview of the Bengals’ weaknesses. Vontaze Burfict is dirty. So is Adam Jones.
Here’s The Rule Officials Ignored With Joey Porter That Enabled Steelers To Beat Bengals
If you’re like me, then passing time and the changing faces on the Steelers’ roster hasn’t prevented you from remembering your hatred for Joey Porter. Hines Ward and James Harrison come to mind as two players who bear the brunt of the legacy of hate that Ravens fans harbor toward the Steelers. Both are deserving, but Joey Porter, who once delivered a total cheap shot on an already injured Todd Heap, often seems to be the forgotten name. Now a coach of the Steelers, it was he who caused the penalty on Adam Jones that put the Steelers into field goal range on Saturday night. As Mike Ozanian of Forbes tells us, it was he whom should have been penalized.
Steelers’ Joey Porter facing ‘clear fine’ for interfering with Bengals players
Not exactly as bad as losing a playoff game as a result, but I guess it’s something. Joey Porter’s wallet should be a little bit thinner at some point this week. As Will Brinson of CBS Sports says, Porter “has no business being in the Bengals’ defensive huddle and talking with opposing players out in the middle of the field while there’s game action going on.”
Joey Porter in the middle of the Bengals’ huddle
https://twitter.com/_MarcusD_/status/686048770811772928
How a coach can antagonistically go into an opponent’s huddle and not just get away with it, but actually win the game because of it, is completely beyond me.
Mike Munchak will probably be fined for pulling Reggie Nelson’s hair
Joey Porter wasn’t the only coach getting himself involved in confrontations with opposing players. Mike Munchak, Â the offensive line coach for the Steelers, pulled Reggie Nelson‘s hair as he fell out of bounds. Somehow, Steelers fans can somehow ignore these actions and condemn the actions of the Bengals.
2015 NFL Playoffs: Strengths and weaknesses of each team
Of course, the Bengals are just as guilty as the Steelers. Their lack of discipline was a big reason – no, rather, THE reason – that the Bengals ended up losing. In his preview of this weekend’s matchups, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com had this to say about the Bengals’ weaknesses:
“The Bengals lack a glaring weakness from a personnel standpoint, but their emotional control and discipline could prevent them from moving on in the tournament. The defense, in particular, is loaded with temperamental playmakers (like Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones) with high-revving emotions. While the unit plays on a string on each level, the occasional lack of discipline and emotional control has resulted in Cincinnati ranking near the top of the NFL in penalties. Given the significant impact of penalties, particularly personal fouls, the Bengals must keep their cool or run the risk of short-circuiting their playoff run via a lack of composure.“
Oddly prophetic, isn’t it?
Vontaze Burfict rams knee into Ben Roethlisberger‘s shoulder
Even though Vontaze Burfict went undrafted, he still became the best linebacker in his class. He also became the dirtiest. It has become apparent that he’ll use the dirtiest of tactics on the field that would make even Ndamukong Suh cringe. Whatever feelings you may feel toward Roethlisberger, this is certainly dirty.
Adam Jones goes on rant on Instagram, then takes it down –Â WARNING: FOUL LANGUAGE
And of course, to show just how unaccountable these Bengals players are, here is a video of Adam Jones still mad that he was penalized and not Joey Porter and the Steelers.
Normally, I would feel bad for a team that lost to the Steelers given the circumstances of Saturday, but the Bengals lose with all the class of a 4-year-old throwing a temper tantrum. I’m glad it happened to them.
