Report: NFL refs preparing for the Bengals and Steelers to renew their violent rivalry
There's nothing like a good old AFC North battle. The physicality, the history, the hatred — it's all football at its finest. Perhaps the only people who aren't excited for this weekend's matchup between the Steelers and Bengals are the officials, who certainly have their work cut out for them.
The last two times Pittsburgh and Cincinnati played each other, there was a ton of trash talking, violent (and illegal) hits, and just general chaos. And according to a report from ESPN, the refs assigned to this Week 2 game are prepared for things to get messy.
If you need a reminder of just how brutal this rivalry can be, check out this clip of some of the most violent hits and most egregious penalties from last year. That video includes the one hit that drew the most attention last season, as LB Vontaze Burfict went helmet-to-helmet against Steelers WR Antonio Brown in a disgusting display:
Burfict was suspended for the first three games of 2016 after that hit in last season's playoffs, so he won't be on the field Sunday for Cincinnati. For that, the officials should give thanks. It's already going to be a rough day.