One of the stories in the game was the dirty play of Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict. Burfict was suspended the first three games of the season after ramming through a falling Antonio Brown on an incomplete pass, concussing the Steelers' superstar WR and making him unavailable in their season-ending loss to the Broncos. Now that Burfict is back from suspension, it looks like he's at it again.
The first incident was when he droves for Martellus Bennett's ankles. Bennett has been playing through an ankle injury suffered last week against the Cleveland Browns. Bennett managed to finish the game and catch 3 touchdowns along the way, but was more limited against the Bengals. Fortunately, Bennett wasn't hurt on the play.
Video: On Vontaze Burfict low hit on Martellus Bennett, Tom Brady pump faked to Bennett. (Via CBS broadcast) pic.twitter.com/Nbyyz2xb14
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 17, 2016
That low blow caused fellow TE Rob Gronkowski to react two plays later, as he was penalized for an unsportsmanlike penalty, after Burfict came up to his face. The Patriots would wind up kicking the FG to end the drive, but that was just the start of extracurricular activities. Matt Chatham gives his opinion, and he's not happy about it. Bengals HC Marvin Lewis makes the weak excuse of a pump fake, but there's a difference between going low and going to try to end a guy's season.
Just when you didn't think Burfict couldn't be a bigger turd, on the Patriots final offensive play he stomps on LeGarrette Blount's ankles after Blount scored a TD. That's just wrong, as Ndamukong Suh learned years ago after he got suspended for stomping on Evan Dietrich-Smith on Thanksgiving 2011.
Video: From coaches film (courtesy NFL), watch Vontaze Burfict (55) deliberately step on Blount's leg after TD. pic.twitter.com/wtTPqy3XHP
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 17, 2016
Not only does he go for a dirty hit on Bennett, he also stomps on Blount. While I may be a homer right here, these actions by Burfict are not football, but thuggish behavior. For Roger Goodell, who likes "emphasizes" player security, there is a situation where he can actually do something about it.