Dec 13, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) along the sidelines during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Bengals defeated the Eagles 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

If there’s one thing to like about rookie linebacker Vontaze Burfict going forward, it’s his fire and passion for the game of football. That can also lead him to go a little over the edge during games. Ravens runningback Ray Rice, whom Burfict got into a scuffle with during their Week 17 matchup, actually was praiseworthy of the rookie linebacker:

I talked to him after the game and you know what? I was honest with him. He’s going to be a great linebacker in the league. I just told him that if he ever got to the point where he let his pads do the talking, he’ll be all right. I got carried away myself but he’s a young guy. I didn’t say anything until I went to three Pro Bowls. There’s no need to leave things on the field. There’s no hate. There’s none of that.

Guard Bobbie Williams also recounted a confrontation with Burfict in that same gmae:

“I like him. He plays hard,” Williams admitted. “I respect him.”

But not before the former Bengal pointed to a mark on his leg.

“This is where he kicked me in the shin. “I was like, ‘you little … .’ “

Burfict will now enter his first full NFL offseason, and if he can continue to keep his head on straight and maintain the work ethic that helped him rise from an undrafted free agent to the Bengals’ leading tackler (174), he’ll likely be the new starting middle linebacker and centerpiece of a defense expected to be in the top-10 again in 2013.

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Dec 23, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) runs for a touchdown against the New York Giants in the second quarter during the game at M

UPDATE 

There are now reports that Ray Rice will play today.

Last second change with the Ravens. Ravens running back Ray Rice is active and is going to play a series or two.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 30, 2012

With essentially nothing to play for today, the Baltimore Ravens aren’t taking any chances with getting their best player injured, and will reportedly rest All-Pro RB Ray Rice today. Rice has been a Bengals-killer through his career. In his last four games vs. Bengals, all of which were Ravens wins, he totaled 74 carries for 440 yards (5.9 avg) and 7 touchdowns.

Perhaps the Ravens are making this move in order to get rookie backup Bernard Pierce more carries. He had the best game of his career last week vs. the New York Giants. He gashed the G-Men to the tune of 123 yards rushing on just 14 carries. The third-round draft pick from Temple has emerged as a valuable backup to Rice, rushing for 443 yards and a touchdown with an average of 5.2 yards per carry during the 2012 season. By no means does the Ravens not having rice today mean they will not be playing to win.

During the fourth quarter, Pierce buried the Giants with a career-high 78-yard run that led to the game-sealing touchdown. He has the same game-breaking play potential that Rice has and has burned the Bengals with frequently through his career. The only rookie running backs drafted this year that have gain more yards than Pierce are Alfred Morris (1,413 yards), Doug Martin (1,312 yards) and Trent Richardson (950 yards), all of which are their respective teams’ #1 tailback.

And in case you were wondering, Anthony Allen is expected to be his backup today. Allen is a seldom used back who accounted for 3,036 yards during his collegiate career at Louisville and Georgia Tech. In his NFL career, he has just 9 carries for 28 yards (3.1 avg.).

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Jan 15, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M

When Ravens All-Pro outside linebacker Terrell Suggs tore his achilles tendon this offseason, it was believed that the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year wouldn’t play football in 2012. It now appears that not only will he play this year, but it may be sooner than expected. Suggs is eligible to come off the PUP list in two weeks, and be back for the teams’ Week 7 matchup against the Texans. Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh revealed today that Suggs does have a target date in mind, but wouldn’t elaborate on when it was, but confidentially said “He is going to be back”.

After the Ravens escaped last night with a 23-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns in an AFC North showdown, RB Ray Rice admitted he was worn down, as the Ravens had just finished playing their fourth game in 17 days in the first four weeks of the 2012 season. Perhaps that explains his 18 carries for 49 yards last night for a 2.7 average, one of the worst outings of his 5-year NFL career. He was averaging nearly 6 yards-per-carry going into last night. The Ravens did improve to 3-1 and remain atop the AFC North.

Ravens TE Dennis Pitta appears to have solidified himself as the teams’ top TE target. Going into the year, he was in a battle with Ed Dickson for the starting nod, but last night Pitta  played in 62/87 snaps (71.3 percent) of snaps, as Dickson has been utilized in more of a blocking role.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger insisted there’s no problem between him and offensive coordinator Todd Haley, despite the teams’ 1-2 start and the Steelers’ run game being off to its worst start in 62 years. The team currently has 195 yards rushing and a 2.64-yards-per-carry average, but the eventual return of Pro Bowl RB Rashard Mendenhall should provide a significant boost.