By: Donny Chedrick
As it has been the last few years, the showdown between the Steelers and Bengals Monday night in Cincinnati was physical. In fact, saying it was physical is an understatement. Several big hits, several "dirty" hits and multiple suspensions loomed after. However, the Steelers got the job done when it mattered, kept their now seven-game win streak alive, and went back home with a 10-2 record and a chance to claim the AFC North Sunday night against Baltimore at Heinz Field. Before that, we'll take a look at five things from Pittsburgh's victory in Cincy.
1. Boswell is very much a 'Killer B'
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| Photo creds to Steelers.Com |
If you didn't consider Chris Boswell a member of the 'Killer B's,' consider him one now. Boswell is 28-31 in field goals this season and is one of only two kickers in NFL history to have three game-winning kicks (with the clock ending in 00:00) in a season since the NFL/AFL merger. Boswell was three-for-three Monday night against the Bengals, including the 38 yarder as time expired that encapsulated the Steelers' big comeback.
2. Ryan Shazier
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| Photo creds to www.sportingnews.com |
I didn't want to make this topic the top story considering all signs are pointing to Shazier being okay as all of our prayers are with him and his family, but it's definitely a discussion point. Shazier suffered what looked to be a dangerous injury in the first few moments of the game and was motionless for several minutes before being carted off. Time will tell how severe Shazier's injury is, but everyone is hoping the damage is limited.
3. "Cheerleader" Mike Tomlin
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| Photo creds to Sporting News |
Say what you want about Tomlin not being Bill Cowher. Say what you want about him not being Chuck Noll. If you're Terry Bradshaw, I would love to hear an updated opinion on Mike Tomlin. Tomlin's Steelers are 10-2 following a 23-20 victory over the Bengals, in a game that they trailed 17-0 late in the first half and 20-10 into the fourth quarter. Something tells me that Tomlin didn't just sit in the locker room and cheer his team on at halftime. Also to address the crowd that didn't think Tomlin's team was playing well enough against the Bengals should consider the fact that Cincy was playing for its playoff life Monday night and desperation in the NFL is a scary thing. Tomlin's team responded after being down 17 and losing its best defensive player to win the game. That's pretty good.
4. JuJu continues to show Hines Ward comparisons
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| Photo creds to Deadspin |
JuJu Smith-Schuster shows week after week that he can bring fans nostalgic reminders of Hines Ward. In fact, JuJu has far better numbers than Ward did in his rookie season. Ward finished 1998 with 15 receptions for 246 yards and no touchdowns. JuJu so far in his rookie campaign has 37 catches, 585 yards and five touchdowns. Not only do JuJu's numbers blow Ward's out of the water, they're better than the top three wide receivers drafted in 2017 combined. Along with the numbers, Smith-Schuster brings the lumber as a blocking wide receiver. The whole world saw that Monday night on the crackback block he laid on Vontaze Burfict. As JuJu continues to develop, he continues to look more like number 86
5. Keeping pace with New England
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| Photo creds to ESPN.Com |
Pittsburgh saw the Patriots defeat Buffalo Sunday afternoon, so they knew they had to keep pace with them in the AFC leading up to that ultimate showdown in week 15 that could decide the AFC's number one seed. Coming into Monday night, people speculated that the Steelers were already focused on the Patriots. Whether that is true or not, Pittsburgh got the win to keep pace.
It wasn't easy and it wasn't pretty, but the Steelers are 10-2 after the come-from-behind win at Paul Brown Stadium. Coming up next, the Steelers have a chance to win another AFC North championship Sunday night at Heinz Field.
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