Boomer Esiason: Bengals-Steelers rivalry getting out of control

The rivalry between the Bengals and Steelers heated up midseason after Le'Veon Bell's season was ended prematurely by a hit from Vontaze Burfict. After the tension completely boiled over in their postseason showdown last month, former Cincinnati quarterback Boomer Esiason thinks the respective coaches need to get it toned down. 

The two teams were fined a combined $202K over the last two meetings, not including the more than $500K that Burfict will lose from the three-game suspension he received for his late hit on Steelers receiver Antonio Brown in the closing seconds of the Bengals' playoff meltdown. 

While CBS Sports analyst Boomer Esiason pointed the finger mainly at Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis right after the game, he told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he should have also looked at the opposing sideline as well. 

Esiason may lay the ultimate blame for the Bengals' loss of control on Lewis, but he acknowledged that the animosity stems mostly from one player -- Burfict. 

Of course, Esiason couldn't resist taking a friendly jab at the Steelers, who he faced for 10 years as a member of the Bengals, noting that he still has to deal with former Pittsburgh head coach Bill Cowher every Sunday in the pregame studio.