Officiating?!!!

If Allen had turned his head, then I'd agree. But he ran straight into Green before the ball got there. That's on Allen.

 

All of the details may be true...but facts are what matter. The refs did get that wrong and they also screwed us on the fumble recovery for a TD. That's kind of a big deal.

 

This is the Bigger reality of what transpired last night.

 

Watch the ENTIRE replay of that sack. You will notice Burfict kneeing Ben's injured shoulder after the play is over. It's that type of extracurricular activity from Burfict that is WAY beyond the scope of "a normal tackle".

 

I've watched it 100 times. All I see is Burfict going for a loose ball. It was a perfectly normal tackle.

 

That PI penalty that set up Cincy's first score was the correct call...but, I also saw two other times...one with Pac-man for sure where he was totally face-guarding our WR from making an attempt at the catch....and there was no call...now, isn't that technically a PI penalty ???

 

I haven't watched it over, but I will nevertheless assume he did do something post-play. However, the injury clearly happened because of the angle in which Ben fell (with Burfict's weight on top of him). It was a clean tackle, regardless of what happened afterwards.

Still think Burfict should have been pulled by Lewis.

 

Check the thread "Eat It Burfict" Look at the post by the site administrator named "Terrible Towel Flying" You WILL see what I'm talking about.

 

The only issue I had with the DPI that put the Bengals on the 4 yds line, is that on the following Steeler's possession, on 3rd and long, Brown not only had his face mask grabbed at one point, but the Bengals defender made the same exact contact without turning around to look for the ball, yet no interference call.

 

The tackle was normal... the knee to his shoulder wasn't. It should have been flagged. There's a video out there showing it happen.,

 

I didn't have problems with the actual nuts and bolts game calls by the officials. But, I believe that the officials lost control of this game by not at least warning both coaches, particularly Lewis, about some of the between whistle b.s. by telling both ML and MT that there would be ejections coming. It was a wild, hard hitting game and I love them that way, but Burfict's actions painted the NFL and the Bengals in a really bad light, IMHO.

 

The ball wasn't lose is the problem. he was wrenching that shoulder to get it out and didn't care what he did to get it. He was out of control mad at that point!

 

I HATE the targeting penalty. Seen too many critical players get tossed or almost tossed because Of a judgement call on a bang bang play. The only thing that should be adopted from college is the PI. A 99 yard penalty should not be possible.

 

Targeting isn't a judgement call it is reviewable but I understand your reluctance. I'm just tired of seeing Ben get deliberately cheap shotted with no repercussion.

 

Burfict definitely should've been ejected way before Ben even got hurt. He was in the refs faces too. Now he MAY get 2 games that he'll appeal and it will be reduced to 1. He'll get a fine & that won't matter because it will be pocket change.
I don't agree with what Ray Rice did. But Ray Rice intentionally hurt someone off the football field & got suspended indefinitely. IDK if he's allowed back in the league now or not. But his career is basically over. The same people let Burfict intentionally hurt people ON the field and he's still playing. What's it gonna take? For him to seriously hurt someone? To paralyze someone? Then it will be too late.

 

The thing is, judging from some Bengal fans comments, Burfict is just a highly misunderstood character.

Oh, and the Steelers were targeting him all night, apparently, so it was only right for him to react. So they say...

I think if Lewis goes, then Burfict and Jones also go. There's a lot of reports of other Bengals being unhappy with the locker room atmosphere. However, I think Lewis probably stays, to the detriment of the franchise. If he's held on this long (and let's be fair, they had a good regular season), then he won't go now.

And people ***** about the Rooneys and Tomlin...

 

Biggest officiating mistake tgat isn't being talked about: taking away Shazier's fumble return TD that would have but the Steelers up 22-0.

Also, Ben would not have been hurt on the next series the Bengals would have had the ball back.

 

In perspective that was the worst officiating blunder of the game. Ben and Brown likely diminished or missing from the playoff run as a result.

On a side note; I cannot believe the amount of Steeler HATE I've encountered today. Many people paint the Steelers as villains and the Bengals as victims. Was I watching a different game from everyone else? Sheesh!

 

That PI call on Allen was a good call.