The Bengals lost to the Steelers on Sunday, but will not lose their star linebacker.
It took just two plays for Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict to cause some controversy in Cincinnati’s loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Just 59 seconds into the two club’s first meeting of the season, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell carried the ball two yards to the Pittsburgh 30-yard line. Following the tackle, Burfict appeared to kick Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix.
https://twitter.com/thefanaticsview/status/922305540470005760
Burfict points at Nix, lobbying for a penalty after it appeared Nix had pushed him a little late. No flag was thrown on either party, though.
Burfict’s boot was enough to cause a stir right away.
After Bell racked up 192 yards from scrimmage in the Steelers’ 29-14 win, he took to Twitter. The Michigan State product clearly took offense to Burfict’s hit on his lead blocker.
man dude gotta go man...that’s not football AT ALL!! https://t.co/IFbNZPZtWR
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) October 23, 2017
Burfict, whose rap sheet was extended earlier this season when he was suspended for a preseason hit against Kansas City, will not be sidelined for the kick, as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network early Monday afternoon.
#Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict’s apparent kick from his back to be reviewed for discipline in the standard process, source said. No suspension
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2017
It was a rough day for Burfict all around. The Pro-Bowl linebacker tallied just four tackles in his return to Heinz Field as Pittsburgh scored on six of its first seven possessions.
As if Burfict didn’t need closer surveillance on his play, this certainly will bring him more undesired attention.
Sinking Ship
After a two-game winning streak, the Bengals are in disarray from their poor showing in the Steel City that dropped them to 2-4. Burfict is once again labeled as a dirty player, Joe Mixon is questioning the play-calling after being blanked from the team’s second-half offense (and was called out by Marvin Lewis for speaking out) and there are reports of an uninterested locker room.
According to an in-season playoff simulator by the New York Times, the Bengals have a 15 percent chance to make the playoffs.
In order to stay relevant (at least for one more week) Cincinnati is in must-win mode for at least the next couple of games, starting this Sunday when they host Indianapolis. The Colts (2-5) are one of two teams in the AFC with a worse record than the Bengals.