The Pittsburgh Steelers faced their division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, in a chaotic AFC Wild Card game. The Bengals, led by backup quarterback AJ McCarron, were expected to fall easily, but the game took a brutal turn. The Steelers built a 15-0 lead, only to see quarterback Ben Roethlisberger exit with an injury, forcing backup Landry Jones into action.
ESPN
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger gets carted off during a playoff game against the Bengals.
The Bengals rallied with 16 unanswered points but missed a crucial two-point conversion, leaving the Steelers trailing 16-15 with under two minutes left. Jones, attempting to connect with Markus Wheaton, threw an interception to Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict, seemingly sealing the Steelers' fate.
However, in a dramatic twist, Bengals running back Jeremy Hill fumbled while trying to run out the clock. The Steelers recovered, and a hobbled Roethlisberger returned to the field. On the ensuing drive, the Bengals committed several costly penalties, allowing the Steelers to kick a game-winning field goal, securing an 18-16 victory.
One of those pivotal penalties came after Burfict's brutal hit on Antonio Brown, which many believe changed the trajectory of Brown's career. The disturbing blow to the head left fans wondering about its long-term effects on the star wide receiver. Brown recently addressed the incident on social media, reflecting on what he remembered from the infamous hit.
"Yeah man, I remember everything. That won us the game. I was killing that game. It was raining. We was on the last drive to come back. We needed one drive to win the game and on this drive, it was maybe like I just had got the fourth down and we got the first. We are moving the ball perfectly."
Brown believed the Steelers were executing everything perfectly on their final drive to win the game.
Cara Owsley / The Cincinnati Enquirer
Former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown takes a vicious hit from Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict during a playoff game.
He described in detail the events leading up to Burfict’s disturbing and dirty hit to his head.
"I had a post curl, but the way I was running, I was running a little out of control where it was like, let me just get in the middle of the field. Usually, you want to catch this ball at the numbers, but it was raining and I wanted to get in between the hash and the numbers because the safety was right there."
The hit was undeniably dirty and disturbing. Burfict was flagged for unnecessary roughness, giving the Steelers an additional 15 yards, but the drama didn’t end there.
"But how Ben threw it, Ben threw it super high or I don’t know if I maybe jumped early, but how I stretched out, I didn’t get to grip the ball, but I knew I took a hit. I knew when I came down, I took a hit to the head. I remember Joey Porter being over me being like, 'Get up lil' bro.' By the grace of God, Joey Porter… He’s so passionate about the game. He’s talking to me and he feels like I’m passed out, but I’m actually good. [Adam] Pac Man Jones actually push Joey and we get an extra 15 yards on top of that hit."
Adam Jones escalated the chaos by hitting Steelers coach Joey Porter, resulting in another 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
This critical mistake set up Chris Boswell’s 35-yard field goal, sealing the Steelers' 18-16 victory. This unforgettable game remains a defining moment in the Steelers-Bengals rivalry, highlighted by Burfict’s brutal hit and the Steelers' improbable comeback.
Steelers' Antonio Brown Was Forced To Miss Next Playoff Game
Brown recalled walking off the field on his own but was unable to play in the Steelers’ next playoff game against the Denver Broncos, which they lost. Many believe this hit may have played a role in the erratic off-field behavior that followed in Brown's career, as he had not exhibited such behavior before.
Steph Chambers / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Antonio Brown watching his team warm up without him.
It’s clear that this hit had a lasting impact on Brown's career. Hearing him reflect on the notorious and controversial play years later adds an intriguing layer to its legacy. Many Steelers fans can’t help but wonder how things might have unfolded if Brown had never taken that hit.
There are countless "what ifs" and lingering questions that will never be answered. One thing Steeler Nation will always know is that Burfict was a dirty player who delivered an awful hit on Brown.
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