When the schedule for the 2016 season was released, a look at the Steelers schedule showed that they would get their first chance to face Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict since last year’s playoffs in Week 15.
The two teams played in a 24-16 Steelers win in Week Two, but Burfict was suspended for that contest after accumulating several violations of player safety rules. Those violations included a hit that concussed Steelers wideout Antonio Brown in the aforementioned playoff game, which was also a Steelers win, and a shot at quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s knees during the regular season.
The history between Burfict and the Steelers also includes social media threats toward the Bengals linebacker from Steelers linebacker Vince Williams. All of that might suggest that the run-up to this week’s game would be spirited, but the Steelers are downplaying it.
Left guard Ramon Foster said the team will deal with Burfict “whenever it gets to that” while right tackle Marcus Gilbert focused on what was on the line for the Steelers.
“Of course, we have to protect each other,” Gilbert said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “You can’t be cautious. You have to play full speed. If you’re out there wondering what other people are doing you’re going to end up getting yourself hurt or get somebody else hurt. You just go out there and play football. It’s a rivalry game for us. This is a good team. They have a lot at stake, and we do, too. We have to get through Cincinnati to get to where we want to go, and that’s our next stop.”
The 8-5 Steelers have much more at stake than the 5-7-1 Bengals when it comes to a postseason future and a win over the Bengals will draw them closer to booking passage to the postseason. Things obviously get heated between the division rivals, though, so they’ll have to keep their heads to avoiding hurting themselves even if things get chippy this weekend.
