Bengals players were careful not to be so critical of their teammates, although some alluded to the type of poise needed in playoff games, which Cincinnati again lacked.
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“That’s definitely the most disappointing part – this is the best team I’ve ever been on, and one of the best in the league”, said Whitworth, a 10-year pro with the Bengals. It happens on a rainy day, although it started the chain of reaction that kicked the Bengals, on the verge of winning their first playoff game in 25 years, from the postseason. It’s a loss for the Bengals that has many of their fans calling for head coach Marvin Lewis’ head after his 0-7 record in the postseason became too much to bare.
The talks have been all season long with the Bengals that they can’t win a playoff game.
This set up Chris Boswell for this 35 yard game winning field goal with 18 seconds remaining in the contest.
“We have to be smart in situations throughout the game and make smart decisions”, said Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth.
“I’m going to give everything I can, like I always do”, Roethlisberger said of playing in Denver. The Bengals had a fumble on offense, and two personal fouls on defense that cost them the game. Meanwhile, Roethlisberger injured his shoulder and will undergo an MRI, but since it’s his non-throwing shoulder, he may play no matter the diagnosis.
We’ll keep you updated on the status of these players, but it’s entirely possible that the Steelers could be without one or two critical players on Sunday as beat up as they already are.
For those who are into win probability, the Bengals had to be pretty high considering they had the ball at the Pittsburgh 26-yard line, up one point, with less than two minutes left on the clock, and with Ben Roethlisberger unable to throw down the field.
Cincinnati might want to do the same after somehow losing despite rallying from a 15-point deficit to have the lead and the in Pittsburgh territory and the lead with 1:30 to go.
“He’s trying to go over and defend the play”, Lewis said. “You got (Steelers linebacker coach) Joey Porter in the middle of the (expletive) field talking (expletive) to everybody and then when somebody says something to him… he isn’t even supposed to be on the (expletive) field”. Jones was involved in an altercation with a Steelers’ assistant coach, who was on the field to see about Brown, who was hurt after Burfict’s hit. Brown caught another pass and received a Brutal hit from Burfict that was penalized. Beyond the chaos and embarrassment, a handful of plays not only decided this game, but also the Divisional Round matchups in the AFC.
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Lewis declined to criticize either player directly after the game.
