5 Wild Card games the Steelers won’t soon forget

Theatrics in the Queen City

It’s difficult to forget this one, isn’t it?

During warmups, the game’s officiating team guarded midfield, parting the teams. After the opening boot, they would hardly be able to stem the frenzied tide.

From a sideline exchange where Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak tugged on Cincy safety Reggie Nelson’s dreadlocks, to a plastic water bottle being flung from the bleachers toward an ailing Ben Roethlisberger, this meeting didn’t lack for commotion.

Amidst a downpour, Martavis Bryant completed a head-over-heels circus grab for a touchdown, Ryan Shazier steamrolled tailback Jeremy Hill, and Cincy pulled ahead late after facing a 15-point deficit.

With 1:43 left, backup signal-caller Landry Jones threw a pick that looked to put the stamp on a losing result. Shortly after, Shazier resuscitated Pittsburgh by stripping Hill of the football.

In the most eventful installment of this AFC North series, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict acted the part of the antagonist. He provided the hit that momentarily shelved Roethlisberger and reeled in the opportune interception that could have sealed a victory for his team. Most notably, during the game’s last drive, knocked Antonio Brown down for the count.

The personal foul infraction that resulted from Burfict’s ill-intentioned blow, along with an ensuing unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Adam Jones, ushered Chris Boswell into field goal range.

Boswell hit the 35-yard attempt, and, for the fifth consecutive season, Marvin Lewis and the Bengals were banished from the postseason in its opening weekend.

The Wild Card round is a familiar setting for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, who host the Cleveland Browns Sunday night.