04-24-2023, 03:24 PM
(04-24-2023, 11:27 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: I remember it very differently from that.
I remember him scoring 0 points for the first 3 quarters against the 30th ranked passing defense while throwing an INT and fumbling the ball 3 times, giving the Steelers 6 of their 18 points while the Bengals defense put on an absolute masterclass performance in getting turnovers, shutting down the 4th scoring offense, and keeping them in the game despite a lack of offense. McCarron had 56% completion, 5.2 YPA, and a 68.3 QB Rating. The defense (particularly Burfict) absolutely balled out and handed the W to the offense... which Hill then promptly fumbled away.
Seriously???
Quote:The Bengals had just scored the go-ahead touchdown on an AJ McCarron-to-A.J. Green touchdown pass. A play later, an interception by Steelers quarterback Landry Jones (he was in for an injured-at-the-time Ben Roethlisberger) pretty much confirmed that the football gods had finally decided to give Cincy a break.
Good one.
On the very next play, Bengals running back Jeremy Hill fumbled, the Steelers recovered, and because this is the postseason and these are the Bengals, of course Roethlisberger and his injured right shoulder came back onto the field.
It was clear Big Ben couldn't throw the ball more than 10-15 yards, and he spent much of the next 55 seconds tossing screen passes and slants, working the ball to the Bengals' 47-yard line with 22 seconds to go.
And then things went completely sideways. And because this is the postseason and these are the Bengals ... well, you know.
Specifically: Roethlisberger tried to find Antonio Brown downfield on first down, but Vontaze Burfict was flagged for trying to decapitate Brown. It was a brutal hit in a game full of them, and that 15-yard penalty moved the ball to the Bengals' 32-yard-line. That would've been a 49-yard field goal for Steelers first-year kicker Chris Boswell. Certainly not a gimme.
But because this is the postseason and these are the Bengals, there's more: Cincinnati cornerback Adam Jones was flagged moments after Burfict for unsportsmanlike conduct. Fifteen more yards, the ball at the Bengals' 17-yard line, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin sent Boswell out for the chip-shot 35-yarder.
Which part of McCarron had just scored the go ahead touchdown is confusing you?
