In a wild finish, the Steelers edged the Bengals 18-16 in one of the most physical games you will ever see. There was literally a body count by the end of the game. Despite dominating three quarters the Steelers needed a miracle to get the victory and a little help from the undisciplined Bengals.
A.J. McCarron marched the Bengals down the field and with just under two minutes left hit A.J. Green for the go ahead touchdown and put the Bengals up 16-15. The Steelers got the ball back with all three timeouts and plenty of time to get down the field and win the game. The comeback at that point would have to be without Ben Roethlisberger, Vontaze Burfict sent Ben from the game with a shoulder injury earlier. It would be Landry Jones who would need to lead the drive…he didn’t. He turned the ball over to Burfict of all people who went crazy celebrating and the Bengals 24 year curse was over…or was it?
Burfict cast as the hero of the game would have been a tough pill to swallow. He wouldn’t be, Ryan Shazier saw to that. On the Bengals run out the clock drive, Jeremy Hill was stripped of the football by Shazier, who had the game of a lifetime and the Steelers had new life. Not only that but Ben Roethlisberger came back in playing with a bad shoulder. He marched the Steelers down the field including converting on fourth down.
Then for some reason Vontaze Burfict decided to try and kill Antonio Brown after he missed a pass way over his head. It was a 15 yard penalty and it got the Steelers within field goal range. Adam “Pacman” Jones committed another 15 Yard penalty and the Steelers were in business. Chris “Little Boz” Boswell kicked a 35 yard field goal to win the game!
In the end, the Steelers played the more disciplined game and outlasted the Bengals. They shut down the Bengals running game, they limited the Bengals to just 10 yards on eight carries and held them to 91 yards on 24 carries. Cam Heyward had a sack and Stephon Tuitt absolutely was a force. Jarvis Jones had a strip sack which yielded a field goal. Ryan Shazier was everywhere and absolutely saved the day. Bud Dupree had two tackles for a loss, and James Harrison finished off a sack after pressure from Lawrence Timmons. He also saved a first down.
The offense did what was needed and Fitz Toussaint and Jordan Todman played terrific games! Toussaint had 38 of his 54 yards before halftime, in addition to two catches for 43 yards. He almost broke another big run in the fourth, but was shoe string tackled by Mike Johnson. Todman had 35 yards on just six carries and looked terrific.
While the running back duo was great, The receivers buoyed the Steelers offense, Martavis Bryant made one of the greatest catches in playoff history. His acrobatic 10 Yard TD was the real difference in the game and he responded to Ben Roethlisberger’s challenge. He also ripped off a 44 yard end around! Antonio Brown put up 119 yards and a huge 60 yarder. Markus Wheaton had one of the 24 yard catches you will ever see.
Big Ben put on one of the most dramatic comebacks leading the winning drive with an injured shoulder. He also made two big throws in the second half — a 10-yard touchdown to Martavis Bryant and a 60-yard pass-and-run to Antonio Brown to set up their only touchdown.
As for Mike Tomlin, he put together a great game. The team played with intensity but was never out of control, and he managed the clock perfectly. There was also a never give up spirit on the sideline.
It is on to Denver!
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Martavis Bryant and Ryan Shazier. Going with both. Shazier saved the day and Bryant answered the challenge of his teammates Both stood tall. Also considered: Ben Roethlisberger who led the comeback, Antonio Brown, who is Antonio Brown and of course Little Boz who his the game winner!
Where I watched the game: The greatest Steelers Bar in the world Irish Exit on 2nd Ave. KGB and I made the trip into Manhattan and watched with my buddy Bill Wilshire and two awesome people David and Janice who shared our table.
My Stat of the week: 34 Victories tied for the most in postseason history with the Dallas Cowboys.
My thoughts on Next Week: The Steelers will face a tough Broncos team and are on fumes right now. If no AB and No Ben no chance at winning. If both play well then BEER WE GO BABY!