Tempers, flags kept in control
But Burfict’s kick might prove costly
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Steelers and Bengals played a football game Sunday, and officials did not administer one personal-foul penalty, although one apparent missed call could land notorious Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict back on suspension
Burfict, who has been suspended for six games in the past two seasons for illegal hits, could be facing discipline from the NFL after he kicked Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix in the head in the first quarter of the Steelers’ 29-14 victory at Heinz Field.
It wasn’t a vicious kick, but Burfict’s leg did make contact with Nix.
Burfict declined to speak with reporters after the game. Nix took the high road.
“I just play the game, man,” Nix said. “You know, I guess stuff like that happens. There’s a little bit extra just being an AFC game.”
Nix did not retaliate against Burfict.
“I mean, you know, we talk about stuff like that,” Nix said. “You guys all know. There’s no point harming the team or retaliating or anything like that.”
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he did not see Burfict kick Nix. After his postgame news conference, Tomlin instructed a Steelers employee to tell Nix not to talk about Burfict.
All in all, for a SteelersBengals game, it was rather civil.
When asked if the officials controlled the game, Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson said: “We control things. The players play the game.”
Faked out
Steelers safety Robert Golden now is 2 for 2 as a passer in his NFL career. The personal protector on the punt team, Golden threw a 44-yard pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey in the fourth quarter with the Steelers up, 26-14.
The Bengals left Heyward-Bey uncovered along the sideline, and Golden checked into the fake.
“We are just not going to allow those guys to be overaggressive,” Tomlin said. “The look was presented to us. We have a great deal of confidence in Rob Golden. He’s been playing that position for us for a number of years. That’s not the first time he’s executed that play.”
Golden completed a 25yard pass on a fake punt in the 2014 opener against the Cleveland Browns.
McDonald hurt
Tight end Vance McDonald injured his knee in the second half and is being evaluated. That was the only injury of note, according to Tomlin.
McDonald had his most productive game of the season. He had two receptions for 37 yards, but he also dropped a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone.
This ’n’ that
Rookie receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster caught his third touchdown pass, the most in NFL history for a player before turning 21. Smith-Schuster turns 21 Nov. 22. … Ben Roethlisberger tied Aaron Rodgers for ninth-most touchdown passes in NFL history. He threw Nos. 309 and 310 against the Bengals. … Le’Veon Bell posted the 17th 100-yard rushing game of his career. … Defensive lineman Tyson Alualu, who started in place of the injured Stephon Tuitt, recorded his first sack as a member of the Steelers… Chris Boswell was 5 for 5 on field goals. He has 66 field goals since signing with the Steelers in 2015.
Inactives
The Steelers deactivated right tackle Marcus Gilbert, defensive end Stephon Tuitt, offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins, linebacker Arthur Moats, cornerback Brian Allen, receiver Justin Hunter and quarterback Josh Dobbs.
The Bengals deactivated cornerback Adam Jones, receivers Tyler Boyd and John Ross, safety Derron Smith, offensive linemen Christian Westerman and Alex Redmond and H-back Ryan Hewitt.