George Pickens wipes out spectacular play with idiotic taunting penalty

We just witnessed the play that pretty much sums up George Pickens' career through his first three NFL seasons. The Pittsburgh Steelers star has unmatched play-making ability, but the good he does is often undone due to his on-field antics.

This was the case late in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.

With Pittsburgh driving, Pickens came up with a fantastic catch and run that resulted in 21 yards and a first down for the Steelers. Unfortunately, the polarizing wide receiver was tagged with a personal foul call for taunting after the play.

While the Steelers still gained the first down from the play, the offense was backed up fifteen yards -- netting only a gain of six on what should have been an explosive play for Pittsburgh.

George Pickens needs to grow up

Nobody is questioning Pickens's talent -- that's never been an issue. But his on-field antics continue. Last week, on the final play of the game against the Cleveland Browns, Pickens got into a scuffle on a Hail Mary and seemed to be more concerned with tackling the cornerback to the ground than making a play for the football in the endzone.

These issues are nothing new for Pickens who often makes questionable decisions after the play. As soon as the yellow laundry flew, second-year offensive tackle Broderick Jones got in Pickens' face, almost as if to say 'You can't do things like this and wipe away big plays'.

Pickens has some maturing to do... but this is something we've been saying since early in his rookie season. It makes you wonder if he's ever going to cut the antics out of his game.

Fortunately, the penalty ultimately didn't hurt the Steelers too much, as quarterback Russell Wilson was able to cap off the drive with a touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III. But this could have been much worse.

Pickens received a warning for his actions, and one more personal foul call would result in an ejection from the game. Let's hope that's the last of the foolishness (for this week, at least).