Ben Roethlisberger says that Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict intentionally dove at his knees and ankles during Sunday’s game at Cincinnati.
Roethlisberger said on his weekly radio show on KDKA, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, that he doesn’t believe Burfict’s explanation that he was pushed into him well after Roethlisberger released the ball.
Roethlisberger came to the conclusion that Burfict’s hit on him was dirty after reviewing the play. His former backup, Charlie Batch, formed his opinion much sooner. He tweeted about it during the game.
How could this hit by Vontaze Burfict not be a penalty. Watch this cheap shot as he targets Ben’s ankle pic.twitter.com/O4ZcT1FC5m
— Charlie Batch (@CharlieBatch16) December 13, 2015
Burfict isn’t the most popular person in Pittsburgh these days. When the Bengals defeated the Steelers in Week 8 at Pittsburgh, Burfict’s tackle on Le’Veon Bell injured Bell’s knee and knocked him out for the season. It’s tough to say whether Burfict intentionally tried to hurt Bell, but the Steelers weren’t thrilled with the way Burfict ran from the scene and apparently celebrated the tackle.
Before Sunday’s game in Cincinnati, which the Steelers won 33-20, a scuffle broke out when Burfict and Steelers linebacker Vince Williams went nose-to-nose during warm-ups. There was a lot of pushing and shoving during the game.
This escalating AFC North rivalry could turn into a trilogy this year. The Bengals still are in the driver’s seat for a division title, but without Andy Dalton for at least one game, it might be difficult to earn a first-round bye. If the Steelers make the playoffs as the No. 6 seed and the Bengals are the No. 3 seed, Steelers-Bengals III could be coming to a TV near you.
Unless the NFL makes it a pay-per-view cage match.