The Refs Did It

The media narrative out of last night's Steelers-Bengals game is that the Bengals lost their cool and blew the game because they're undisciplined. As exhibit A, these journalists note the hit Vontaze Burfict laid on Antonio Brown and then the subsequent personal foul that Adam Jones was called for for jawing with Steelers LB Coach Joey Porter. 

Let's stipulate at the outset that Burfict's hit on Brown was vicious. It was appropriately called a penalty and he is expected to be fined and suspended to start next season. Interestingly, Deion Sanders on the NFL Network last night was vehemently defending Burfict's hit and contending that Burfict actually shied a away from contact and only caught Brown with his shoulder pad (yes, it was a shoulder pad to the head but...).

Was the hit made worse by the fact that Brown appeared to be knocked unconscious? Perhaps. Or that it was delivered to a NFL star? Maybe.

The decisive penalty, however, was the 15 yards assessed Jones while Brown was being attended to. Why in the world was a Steelers defensive coach on the field (the Steelers were on offense) and why was he allowed to be insert himself into the Bengals defensive huddle (i.e., no where near Antonio Brown, the injured player he should have been attending to and, indeed, the only reason assistant coaches are allowed on the field).

Interestingly, it is still unclear a day later as to what exactly Jones did to earn the penalty. Abusive language toward Porter? Did he make contact with an official? It's still a mystery and an inexplicable one since the 15 yards assessed turned a dicey field goal attempt from the edge of the kicker's range - in rain to boot- into a chip shot 3 pointer. For what it's worth, the Bengals defensive players contend that Porter was "cussing" them, so it is entirely possible that Porter instigated the situation. It's also unclear as to why the officials didn't call an offsetting Porter for his words (if any, again neither the refs nor league have commented) or penalizing him for coming onto the field.

Finally, amid all the coverage about the game and late game penalties last night - including multiple concerns about Brown's health - is the complete omission of any mention or discussion about the health of Giovanni Bernard who was knocked out of the game by Ryan Shazier on an equally vicious helmet to helmet hit. To the media, it's like Bernard doesn't exist.

Incredibly, no penalty was called and the dynamic dunces of Jim Nance and Phil Simms - aided and abetted by former ref Mike Carey - focused solely on whether Bernard was a "defenseless receiver" or was a "runner" when Shazier lowered his head and launched himself and the crown of his helmet into Bernard's face.

If the NFL rules and concussion prevention mandates mean anything, it is inexplicable how Shazier's hit wasn't a penalty in some way: unnecessary roughness? Spearing? To add insult to injury, Bernard fumbled on the hit as he was concussed and possession of the ball was awarded to the Steelers.

Make no mistake, the lack of any call enraged the Bengals and the home team fans, deservedly so. It's telling that no one is talking about a fine or suspension for Shazier. But you simply can't talk or consider the Burfict hit without acknowledging the connection with the Shazier hit.

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