Wildcard Weekend - 1/9 8:15 p.m. ET - Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (CBS)

[Big/Sky/Fly]

Not I. If it would have put them up by 8 or more, sure. But to leave them with their offense on the field and a chance to win it, with a 2x super bowl winning QB at the helm, seems foolhardy. Going for the 1st down is playing to win in that situation imho, no matter how it actually played out.

During the Lions - Packers game earlier this year, it drove me *absolutely nuts* when they had the ball and were in a similar situation, and it was assumed by *everyone* (correctly, I might add) that they would run for 3 plays and then punt it back to Aaron Rodgers with around 50 seconds left. I knew it, the commentators knew it, the opposing defense knew it, and somehow it was acceptable. Go figure, they run 3 plays, don't get the 1st down, punt it away, Aaron Rodgers does what a good QB will do and wins the game. I was absolutely livid they didn't aggressively go for the 1st down and put the game away, when that was all that was required for a win, even if it meant passing to get it. And it ended up costing them the game.

tl;dr: If Cincy gets the 1st down there, they win. I can't blame them at all for going for the win.

They would have won if they did it...sans their meltdown.

---------- Post added at 07:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 PM ----------

I don't know.

He generally starts strong.

Let's say he wins October.

Winning October...I guess it matches the Halloween colors.

 

[chevss454]

Antonio Brown isn't expected to pass concussion protocol based on yesterday's lack of progress, according to an ESPN TV report.

 

[TommyD420]

Antonio Brown isn't expected to pass concussion protocol based on yesterday's lack of progress, according to an ESPN TV report.

We'll see.

Double Warrior.

 

[chevss454]

We'll see.

Double Warrior.

Double neurologists.

---------- Post added at 06:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:18 AM ----------

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is likely to play Sunday in the divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos, but it is "not looking good" for wide receiver Antonio Brown, sources told ESPN's Bob Holtzman.
Roethlisberger and Brown both suffered injuries Saturday in Pittsburgh's AFC wild-card round victory over the rival Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers have not publicly commented on either player's status for Sunday's game in Denver.


http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...burgh-steelers-playoff-game-vs-denver-broncos

 

[Mazz22]

Insane to suspend him 3 games. I hope he appeals and then goes to court where Rog is 0-5.

---------- Post added at 06:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:35 AM ----------

Ridiculous. He should appeal immediately. If that's Edelman getting hit on a shoulder-to-shoulder hit, Burfict gets a fine at worst.

If it's Gronk than its PI on Gronk.

 

[TommyD420]

Double neurologists.

---------- Post added at 06:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:18 AM ----------

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is likely to play Sunday in the divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos, but it is "not looking good" for wide receiver Antonio Brown, sources told ESPN's Bob Holtzman.
Roethlisberger and Brown both suffered injuries Saturday in Pittsburgh's AFC wild-card round victory over the rival Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers have not publicly commented on either player's status for Sunday's game in Denver.


http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...burgh-steelers-playoff-game-vs-denver-broncos

http://www.communitjvoices.post-gaz...-sack-by-Bengals-Burfict/stories/201601100231

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...r-ben-roethlisberger-antonio-browns-injuries/

http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/Ben-Roethlisberger-Antonio-Brown-Have-a-chance-to-play-Sunday-42730846

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/steelers-antonio-brown-should-play-sunday/

---

Every Non-ESPN source, or source that doesn't use Bob Holtzman's quote in their article, says Brown has a good shot to play, or outright that he'll play, especially local Pittsburgh sources.

He's going to play. Double Warrior. Paul Pierce and Willis Reed.

 

[PatsFan09]

Insane to suspend him 3 games. I hope he appeals and then goes to court where Rog is 0-5. ---------- Post added at 06:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:35 AM ---------- If it's Gronk than its PI on Gronk.

He wasn't suspended just because of that hit, though. It was for his actions throughout the game.

 

[Mazz22]

He wasn't suspended just because of that hit, though. It was for his actions throughout the game.

What else? His hit on Ben was legal.

 

[yackittysacks]

What else? His hit on Ben was legal.

I thought there was something in the rules that says a defender cannot wrap the body of a QB during a tackle.

Anyway, I sure hope Brown plays. I'd hate to see a depleted Steelers team. Nobody likes to win an unfair game.

 

[bideau]

He wasn't suspended just because of that hit, though. It was for his actions throughout the game.

He was suspended for repeated actions including other games.
From PFT:

Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict will be suspended for the first three games of the 2016 season as a result of repeated violations of player safety rules.

Burfict has committed a litany of infractions, many involving cheap shots against opponents, and the last straw was a hit in Saturday’s playoff loss to the Steelers that gave Antonio Brown a concussion.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks imposed the suspension.

The NFL has also confirmed that Burfict was fined $50,000 for a cheap shot he took at Ravens tight end Maxx Williams in Week 17. That hit was largely overlooked until Burfict’s hit on Brown brought his history of cheap shots back into focus.

Burfict has three days to file an appeal. The NFL has also stated that the actions of other players and coaches from the Steelers-Bengals game are being reviewed for potential discipline.

 

[Mazz22]

I thought there was something in the rules that says a defender cannot wrap the body of a QB during a tackle.

Anyway, I sure hope Brown plays. I'd hate to see a depleted Steelers team. Nobody likes to win an unfair game.

No. Not to my knowledge. QBs can be wrapped up. I don't get where the 3 games is coming from? Was he suspended before for dirty play? And how is it Talib gets just one game for an after the play dirty eye poke and this guy gets 3 for a head hit that on replay was not even that bad?

 

[mikiemo83]

http://www.communitjvoices.post-gaz...-sack-by-Bengals-Burfict/stories/201601100231

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...r-ben-roethlisberger-antonio-browns-injuries/

http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/Ben-Roethlisberger-Antonio-Brown-Have-a-chance-to-play-Sunday-42730846

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/steelers-antonio-brown-should-play-sunday/

---

Every Non-ESPN source, or source that doesn't use Bob Holtzman's quote in their article, says Brown has a good shot to play, or outright that he'll play, especially local Pittsburgh sources.

He's going to play. Double Warrior. Paul Pierce and Willis Reed.

SO maybe Pacman Jones was correct, Brown pulled a Sonny Liston and was OK.

 

[Mazz22]

SO maybe Pacman Jones was correct, Brown pulled a Sonny Liston and was OK.

I know we all want Steelers to win to get AFCCG at home but part of me would be just fine to see Denver paste them. I just know it won't happen with HGH choker Manning at the helm. Have to hope Brock somehow sees the field.

 

[mikiemo83]

No. Not to my knowledge. QBs can be wrapped up. I don't get where the 3 games is coming from? Was he suspended before for dirty play? And how is it Talib gets just one game for an after the play dirty eye poke and this guy gets 3 for a head hit that on replay was not even that bad?

Repeat Offender.

that means he has continued to act the fool and make hits beyond the acceptable levels of the NFL. Like it or not the Hit where Burfict kneed Ben to the head is a good enough reason to suspend him, add in the hit to Brown and the fact he continuously makes these plays and it is three games.

Just be happy he didn't more likely than not know about what an asshat he is.

this is why 3 games

 

[Mazz22]

Repeat Offender.

that means he has continued to act the fool and make hits beyond the acceptable levels of the NFL. Like it or not the Hit where Burfict kneed Ben to the head is a good enough reason to suspend him, add in the hit to Brown and the fact he continuously makes these plays and it is three games.

Just be happy he didn't more likely than not know about what an asshat he is.

I get he is dirty and so aren't the Denver thugs. Miller's WWE move on the Colts guy was easily worthy of suspension and nothing and he has history too. Talib who also has a history does an eye poke and gets a game. And what about Suh who stepped on Rodgers leg last year and got his one game over turned? I could care less really about this Bengals thug LB but why aren't other repeating dirty guys getting 3 games?

 

[king of kings]

They started a online petition to get steelers removed. Cincy fans said the refs cost them the game.

 

[Mazz22]

They started a online petition to get steelers removed. Cincy fans said the refs cost them the game.

So in other words they are acting like Indy fans?

 

[king of kings]

So in other words they are acting like Indy fans?

They didn't like it in the comment section. I'm sorry did the refs make hill fumble that ball. Did the refs make you hit brown in head with your shoulder.

 

[Mazz22]

They didn't like it in the comment section. I'm sorry did the refs make hill fumble that ball. Did the refs make you hit brown in head with your shoulder.

Yep. Loser teams blame the refs which is why they lose every year. Excuses every year instead of making improvements.

 

[Beaglebay]

I get he is dirty and so aren't the Denver thugs. Miller's WWE move on the Colts guy was easily worthy of suspension and nothing and he has history too. Talib who also has a history does an eye poke and gets a game. And what about Suh who stepped on Rodgers leg last year and got his one game over turned? I could care less really about this Bengals thug LB but why aren't other repeating dirty guys getting 3 games?

After a 31-day period with no incidents, the slate is wiped clean.