The Steelers went into Cincinnati on Monday night and clashed with the Bengals in an ugly display of what I guess amounts to football. The Steelers got the victory but it was overshadowed by a scary moment in the first quarter when Ryan Shazier was carted off the field after making a tackle. All thoughts and prayers are with Ryan and the Shazier family. After that, it was hard to stay invested in the game, and the reactions were similar across the twittersphere (with the exception of Bengals fans).
The pregame festivities featured Mr. October’s terrible phrasing and a Pittsburgh icon giving her final sign-off.
Go Steel Curtain Show me some D tonight pic.twitter.com/U3qNg0fl4z
— Reggie Jackson (@mroctober) December 5, 2017
It wouldn't be a late game without me complaining about it. Sunday's at 1:00 pm is when the NFL was meant to be played
— Chris G. (@ChrisG_PIT) December 5, 2017
We Dey
— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) December 5, 2017
Sad seeing @SWigginWTAE signing off the @WTAE Black & Gold Primetime for the last time. She'll be missed!
— Val Porter (@ValPorterDVE3WS) December 5, 2017
Bengals and Steelers, Monday Night Football. Now here’s two teams that just flat out don’t like each other, man. They’re like McDonald’s and Burger King. I love Big Macs and I love Whoppers so this should be fun
— Football Reels 📽 (@TheFBReels) December 5, 2017
The Steelers got the ball first and showed everyone AB’s toe was okay
How about that toe…#Steelers first down to AB. Great back shoulder throw.
— Behind the Steel Curtain (@btsteelcurtain) December 5, 2017
#Steelers WR Antonio Brown (@AB84) has recorded his fifth consecutive 1,200-receiving yard season – tying Marvin Harrison, Michael Irvin and Chad Johnson for the fourth-longest streak in NFL history.
— Dom Rinelli (@drinelli) December 5, 2017
Unfortunately it ended quickly when Ben threw a pick and Burfict flopped after he initiated with Bell.
Ben is picked by Pacman.
— Steelers Wire (@TheSteelersWire) December 5, 2017
Not the way to start this freaking game.
— Dave (@blitzburgh6) December 5, 2017
oh thats pretty weak… just saw it out of corner of screen
what a dive
— McPgh (@BobMcPgh) December 5, 2017
Yeah, poor Vontaze Burfict. smh.
— Mike in Jersey (@Steel_Tweets) December 5, 2017
To make matters worse, Shazier got hurt on a tackle.
Shazier’s back. Man, it was a weird type of tackle. I hope he can walk off. 😐
— Steel Legends (@Steel_Legends) December 5, 2017
Can we restart this game?
— Lou Kang The Conqueror (@QaysarSozel) December 5, 2017
Lets come together and say a prayer for Shazier. Hope he is okay
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) December 5, 2017
This is the kind of injury that takes the wind out of the game a little bit and rightfully so. This is scary.
— Paul Zeise (@PaulZeise) December 5, 2017
It’s tough to get into the game after a gruesome injury like that. But the Steelers held the Bengals to a field goal and kept grinding.
That injury just sucked all the life outta this game for me dawg. Can’t front.
— Frozen Water (@OfficiallyIce) December 5, 2017
Don’t really much care right now about this game. I give these players credit.
— John (@steelirish33) December 5, 2017
I don’t know players-can continue to play after watching Shazier carried off on a stretcher and now in ambulance— certainly makes watching harder to do 🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) December 5, 2017
The Steelers gave up a touchdown to AJ Green, but it was still hard to care about anything other than Shazier.
Evaluating #steelers defense on TD drive useless. Players are pros, but they’re human. See a teammate go off like Shazier did, players can be forgiven for being staggered emotionally.
— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) December 5, 2017
Winning this game seems so unimportant since Shazier’s injury. Must really suck for the players.
— SuckMeter (@SuckMeter) December 5, 2017
Colbert talking to Tomlin on sidelines. Not normal.
— Steel Dad (@SteelDad) December 5, 2017
Was Colbert updating the medical staff or was the staff updating him? Huge difference.
— Mel (@MelJ740) December 5, 2017
FINALLY!! BROKEN UP PASS DEEP ON 3RD DOWN!!
— Ahmad (@bigarashad) December 5, 2017
Bengals are playing like they're in the Super Bowl and you can see the Steelers heart is not in the game
— Carol 🖤💛 (@gemi6615) December 5, 2017
You can tell the #Steelers hearts and minds aren't into this game. #MNF
— ✨White Guy for Kamala✨ (@JoeSteelerFan) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/13jmall/status/937873249345654784
The Bengals drove down the field and scored again before halftime. Another AJ Green touchdown.
Steelers have struggled early in road games before but this is next-level flat. Zero pressure, A.J. Green running free, Bell bottled, Bengals D-line winning up front, offense a third-down mess.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 5, 2017
Obviously Shazier's injury sapped PGH emotionally. But his physical absence has had nothing to do with PGH's inefficiency offensively, nor does it have anything to do with the fact that the defensive depth at other positions is being exposed.
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) December 5, 2017
The Steelers finally found some life with a screen pass to Le’Veon Bell and a pass interference call on AB to get them into field goal range.
Best play of the night so far
— Steelers Gab (@SteelersGab) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/Steel_Curtain4/status/937879751997427712
https://twitter.com/atogre_cohen/status/937879710608101376
The Steelers did make one halftime adjustment, benching Coty Sensabaugh in favor of rookie Cam Sutton
IF TOMLIN BRINGS THIS TEAM BACK AFTER THIS HE DESERVES COACH OF THE HEAR.
— Dane (@Urunderarrest) December 5, 2017
Steelers rookie CB Cam Sutton replaces Coty Sensabaugh, who was torched in the first half
— Ed Bouchette (@XRuleExecutive) December 5, 2017
Well sensebaugh benched…Cam Sutton in now…him can't say they aren't trying to make adjustments #Steelers
— Melvin Daniels Jr. (@melvind02) December 5, 2017
The Steelers came out and started working their way down the field.
Burfict hurting himself is poetic.
— Eric Herm (@EricHermPGH) December 5, 2017
On a quintessential Bengals play, Ben checked down to Le’Veon who scampered down the sidelines and got pushed by one Bengal but never went out of bounds. The defense all stopped and Bell walked into the end zone.
I’m not sure what just happened but I’ll take it
— Playmaker TD 🏈 (@playmakerTD) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/kanozie80/status/937886052265623552
BUNGLES GONNA BUNGLE
— SteelCityBlitz (@SCBlitz) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/steelerfan6rngs/status/937886389999243264
TOUCHDOWN STEELERS @L_Bell26 !!!#JuiceIsLoose#HereWeGo #SteelersNation pic.twitter.com/PTkaavSTcj
— PositivelyPittsburgh (@BurghInfo) December 5, 2017
The Bengals struck back by converting a 3rd and 16 after a touchdown was called back on a hold.
This looks like the Steelers secondary we saw in New England.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 5, 2017
Dalton is playing out of his ass tonight.
— John (@steelirish33) December 5, 2017
The Steelers were able to hold to a field goal.
https://twitter.com/PITSteelers6x/status/937888949757911041
Not bad. 20-10, still a game and the offense is heating up
— Scott Salerno (@sasalerno) December 5, 2017
The refs gave the Bengals a make-up call for the holding that nullified the Green touchdown by throwing a flag on a Martavis Bryant kick return that nullified a 96-yarder.
NFL has no idea what holding is and it's part of the ratings decline.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 5, 2017
Kudos to the ESPN crew for calling out the poor officiating. Need more of it.
— Steel Dad (@SteelDad) December 5, 2017
McDonough has ripped two separate holding calls and been right both times.
— Chris Mueller (@ChrisMuellerPGH) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/theterribletell/status/937891948546940928
Tomlin tried to challenge an AJ Green catch that may have been a catch and a fumble, but no one knows what a catch is, so it stayed as an incomplete pass.
Good challenge whether Tomlin wins it or not. Take the shot.
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) December 5, 2017
Tomlin whyyyyyy 🙄
— Chris Garman (@Steel_By_Design) December 5, 2017
Dumb challenge. It was a catch but in today’s NFL – no way will they call it a catch.
— Brian (@Spcbll_1) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/PghGurl/status/937893438049185792
Unbelievable waste of a challenge. Might need that timeout.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) December 5, 2017
The defense held, but guess what? More flags.
if every punt get a penalty, why even bother having punt returns?
— J🍩ey Bag 🍩f D🍩nuts 🍩 (@joeybagovdonuts) December 5, 2017
They're out of control with the flags already. Terrible officiating crew. #MNF #steelers
— ✨White Guy for Kamala✨ (@JoeSteelerFan) December 5, 2017
Randall Gay? Antonio Bryant? Martavious Bryant? What the hell is Gruden on tonight? Maybe he is going to Tennessee.
— Eric Hagman (@esh714) December 5, 2017
You know the crew, Randall Gay, JoJo Schuster, Antonio Bryant.
— Becky (@rebeccaleigh423) December 5, 2017
The Steelers got out of the shadow of their own goalposts and faced a 4th and short at the 40. Tomlin went for it and Le’Veon ran over Dre Kirkpatrick.
NOOOOOO BELL DID IT AGAIN TO KIRKPATRICK
— Jimmy (@Dorkewicz) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/chuckhowe78/status/937896517851066368
BOOOOOOM @L_Bell26 TRUCK STICK
— Steelers Wire (@TheSteelersWire) December 5, 2017
This is the most violent game of the year
— Randy Baumann (@DVERandy) December 5, 2017
LeVeon Bell > Kirkpatrick #Trucked #Steelers pic.twitter.com/0HQSUrsSnK
— Jeff Verszyla (@Verz) December 5, 2017
Meanwhile, in Cincy … pic.twitter.com/DEwWcTFdV0
— Jed Drenning (@TheSignalCaller) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/LedyardNFLDraft/status/937897761546145793
How, in the name of all that is holy, is that not pass interference but the other one was? I’m literally confused
— Playmaker TD 🏈 (@playmakerTD) December 5, 2017
Boswell. Bingo. 37. 20-13. Much better half from #Steelers. Defense needs a stop here.
— David Todd (@DavidMTodd) December 5, 2017
The defense stepped up and got their first sack of the game with Vince Williams blowing through the line.
Vince Williams has been EXCELLENT replacing Lawrence Timmons and for a lot LESS $$$ 7 sacks this season #98
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) December 5, 2017
Push em back push em back waaaaay back
— Zac Celedonia (@ZeFlashNFL) December 5, 2017
The Steelers held to a punt but guess what? Another holding penalty.
Wilcox gets called for another hold. Far away from the play. Very expensive special teams player making some bad mistakes in this game.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) December 5, 2017
I think the bengals are playing their version of Renegade. It's Bad Company. Wow.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) December 5, 2017
The Steelers got the ball with 80 yards between them and a tie game and got a gift to start.
https://twitter.com/Scout523/status/937900820053544961
https://twitter.com/MJM5477/status/937900823794696195
BEN GOT A ROUGHING THE PASSER CALL
Hell froze over y’all
— Mel (@MelJ740) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/SteelerBill13/status/937900949472866304
JuJu solidified his position as everyone’s favorite Steeler.
JUJU JUST KILLED BURFICT
— Steelers Network (@SteelersNetwork) December 5, 2017
JuJu just cleaned Burfict's clock. WOW. Hines Ward will be pleased. #Steelers
— Behind the Steel Curtain (@btsteelcurtain) December 5, 2017
That block is the Hines Ward in Juju. Can't stand over the guy though. Hurt the team. #Steelers
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) December 5, 2017
Gruden spent the entire game praising the dirtiest player in the league.
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) December 5, 2017
Burfict had that coming and more. Don’t wanna hear it. Worth the 15 yards, easily. A bargain at twice the price.
— Rocco DeMaro (@RoccoDeMaro) December 5, 2017
Vontaze Burfict has tried to end players careers and been endlessly dirty, but now this is “bad for the game”….give me a damn break.
— Mike Darnay (@MikeDarnay) December 5, 2017
Trying to equivocate JJSS hit and Shazier's injury (on a routine looking tackle) is idiotic. Totally different.
But sure, let's shame a 21 yo while lionizing a dude who's been suspended … hell, I lost count.— Will Graves (@WillGravesAP) December 5, 2017
I believe @TeamJuJu just made the Renegade video. #steelernation
— Bozyk of Steelers Nation (@djbozyk) December 5, 2017
The Steelers got into the red zone and converted a third down. On the next play, Ben hit AB in the back of the end zone for the game-tying score.
🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆑🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎🆎
— Mel (@MelJ740) December 5, 2017
#ALLANTONIOBROWNDOESISMAKEBIGPLAYS
— The Steelers n'at (@thesteelersnat) December 5, 2017
SLANT TO AB FOR THE TD!!! AND GETS ROCKED BY ILOKA IN THE HEAD!!! AND STILL HANGS ON FOR THE TD!!!
— Ahmad (@bigarashad) December 5, 2017
WHAT POPCORN! LOL ok AB
— mike (@MikeChiggen) December 5, 2017
Iloka with 2nd kill shot on AB…such ugliness in this game
— Matt Williamson (@WilliamsonNFL) December 5, 2017
And this is the dirtiest NFL game in years.
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) December 5, 2017
Holy moly. How on earth is Gruden finding the strength to continue on with this game? Or is he commentating from the locker room at the bedside of Burfict?
— Becky (@rebeccaleigh423) December 5, 2017
They acted like JuJu committed assault because of a blindside block against the NFL's dirtiest player. AB just got speared in the head and it was barely mentioned.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) December 5, 2017
The defense came up HUGE with a third down sack by Dupree and Tuitt on a 3-man rush.
BIG SACK BY THE D
— Charlie Batch (@CharlieBatch16) December 5, 2017
My reaction to shotgun on 3rd and 2: pic.twitter.com/2ovLir6TWn
— Amy Trask (@AmyTrask) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/Scout523/status/937905513169346560
A mediocre punt gave the Steelers the ball at their own 40 and Bell got across midfield at the two minute warning.
— Ms. Erin (@SteelersFanTN) December 5, 2017
Anyone surprised by the fact that the Steelers are in position to win hasn't paid attention to the Marvin Lewis/Andy Dalton era of Bengals football.
— Paul Zeise (@PaulZeise) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/JRocc205/status/937906715508350977
https://twitter.com/steelersfrenzy/status/937906706490806272
BELL IS A GROWN MAN!! TOOK A MAN WITH HIM WHILE IN MIDAIR!
— Ahmad (@bigarashad) December 5, 2017
Boswell came on and DRILLED a field goal FOR THE WIN.
Bengals' offsides brings this FG five yards closer for Chris Boswell. Nails it and that's three game winners in the last four weeks for him. #Steelers win.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/Scout523/status/937908306873634818
#SteelersWin #GladWeWon'tSeeAnotherBengalsSteelersGameThisSeason
— Sean's Ramblings (@seansramblings) December 5, 2017
— Lee (@LCJS) December 5, 2017
BOSWELL DAGGER!!! STEELERS W. pic.twitter.com/DCb2JN5pPE
— Cnic △⃒⃘ (@Cnic__) December 5, 2017
For YOU @RyanShazier!!!
Boswell from 38 is GOOOOOOOOD!!!
THE STEELERS COME BACK TO DEFEAT THE BENGALS 23-20!!#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/nbrd9yKbwm
— Mike Drakulich | Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation) December 5, 2017
CHRIS BOSWELL WITH HIS THIRD WALK-OFF IN FOUR WEEKS
— SteelCityBlitz (@SCBlitz) December 5, 2017
Boswell hits his 38 yd FG.
Game. 😑#PITvsCIN #Bengals50
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 5, 2017
Bungles
— 102.5 WDVE (@DVERADIO) December 5, 2017
Hells to the yess!#Steelers#Bengals#PITvsCIN
— Miguel Cortés (@daMACatacII) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/CrimsonTider74/status/937908538046930944
IT'S GOOD!!! STEELERS WIN 23-20!!! #HereWeGo #SteelersNation pic.twitter.com/iXMh5O5MM6
— Steel City Fan (@TheSteelCityFan) December 5, 2017
The #Steelers are 10-2 (6-1 on the road), 7-1 vs. AFC teams, 4-0 against AFC North opponents and 4-0 in primetime games in 2017.
— Dom Rinelli (@drinelli) December 5, 2017
Tonight was Ben Roethlisberger's 31st career Fourth Quarter Comeback, tying him with Joe Montana for 6th All-Time.
Tonight was Ben's 42nd career Game Winning Drive. He remains 7th on the All-Time list (2 behind Drew Brees and 3 behind Brett Favre).— The Steelers n'at (@thesteelersnat) December 5, 2017
