Houston gets shut out 30-0. Hoyer throws 4 picks. Kansas City returns the opening kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown. It was not a good day.

Tonight will hopefully be a more competitive and interesting game to watch.

BTW, no Luke Willson tomorrow for Seattle. He's still out with a concussion.

Steelers take a 3-0 lead late in the half on a 39 yard Boswell FG. Rice gets a mention.

Boswell - 6
Texans - 0

Boswell 9
Bengals 0

15-7 now. Pretty contentious game with a lot of mini-fighting between the two teams. Big Ben might have separated his shoulder, so the Bengals are still in this thing.

I'm not sure why Mike Tomlin went for two (unsuccessfully) after going up 15-0. I realize he was trying to make it a 3-score game (and they had been successful for the most part going for 2 in the regular season), but I think it was the wrong move tonight and could come back to haunt them.

And there you go. A.J. to A.J., and now Cincy leads 16-15 (they also missed a 2-point try). I'm not sure Landry Jones can get Pittsburgh (and Boswell) a chance to win it.

Stupid move Tomlin. 16-0 and you forced Cincy to go for 2 on its first touchdown. That might have resulted in a tie game right now.

Big Ben back. Pittsburgh out of timeouts. 22 seconds to go. Pittsburgh at Cincy's 47 yard line.

Personal foul on Bengals. Wow. Boswell will get a chance. And another one on top of that (Cincy falling apart). Boswell with a much easier chance now. 35 yard attempt.

And he makes it!!!

Pretty classless behavior by the Bengals and their fans.

Go Boz!

Pittsburgh wins 18-16. Crazy, ugly game.

Steelers win on Boz's toe.

Cinci was absolutely classless. Hit on receiver correct call. They should have stopped arguing about it and kept it a long FG. Made it a much easier kick for the Wizard of Boz!!!

So is that the end of Marvin Lewis in Cincy? I know he's coming off of 12-4, but it's been 13 seasons, no playoff wins, 7 playoff losses -- and this last one as a result of a complete breakdown in discipline.

The behavior of Bengals players was inexcusable. That being said, the hit by the Steelers' player that forced the fumble was also helmet to helmet.

(01-10-2016 10:35 AM)seniorowl Wrote:  The behavior of Bengals players was inexcusable. That being said, the hit by the Steelers' player that forced the fumble was also helmet to helmet.

Helmet to helmet is not a penalty if it is a running play.

I predict there will be record fines doled out from this game, including some on Pittsburgh players and coaches too (Mike Munchak, expect your league letter shortly - check out his hair-pulling act from the first half).

I think Marvin Lewis will be okay because Cincinnati has scapegoats in Burfict and Jones. And I also think that helmet to helmet hits (such as the one that knocked out Cincy's RB) should not be allowed to create a turnover. And whether the runner/receiver is defenseless or not, helmet to helmet should be illegal and a penalty.

Minnesota up 3-0 on Seattle at the half in a game where the weather is the biggest factor (-6 at kickoff). Andrew Sendejo is going to be a huge factor for the Vikings as he probably is the one who has to shadow Russell Wilson on any QB runs.

Got to love 88-year-old Bud Grant coming out for the coin toss before the game in short sleeves.

(01-10-2016 10:42 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(01-10-2016 10:35 AM)seniorowl Wrote:  The behavior of Bengals players was inexcusable. That being said, the hit by the Steelers' player that forced the fumble was also helmet to helmet.

Helmet to helmet is not a penalty if it is a running play.

Not entirely true. I know that's what they said during the game, but not true. Article 8 says anyone initiating contact with the crown of the helmet outside the tackle box, whether offense or defense, shall be assessed a personal foul. By that rule, the hit on Bernard probably should have been flagged.

source: http://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/2015...onal-fouls

Further, it notes that anyone deemed to have done it flagrantly can be ejected. I'm surprised Burfict wasn't ejected for a clear targeting offense.

The Boz does it again. A future Rice Hall of Fame.
http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steel...c-playoffs

(01-10-2016 02:53 PM)gsloth Wrote:  

(01-10-2016 10:42 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(01-10-2016 10:35 AM)seniorowl Wrote:  The behavior of Bengals players was inexcusable. That being said, the hit by the Steelers' player that forced the fumble was also helmet to helmet.

Helmet to helmet is not a penalty if it is a running play.

Not entirely true. I know that's what they said during the game, but not true. Article 8 says anyone initiating contact with the crown of the helmet outside the tackle box, whether offense or defense, shall be assessed a personal foul. By that rule, the hit on Bernard probably should have been flagged.

source: http://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/2015...onal-fouls

Further, it notes that anyone deemed to have done it flagrantly can be ejected. I'm surprised Burfict wasn't ejected for a clear targeting offense.