Whenever the Steelers and Bengals face each other, there is an expectation for…shall we say, extracurricular activities. These matchups take the intensity of AFC North football and add a sprinkle of thuggishness. Just ask Vontaze Burfict and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones about that playoff game in 2016, or even ask then-Steelers linebackers coach Joey Porter about his role in the glorified barbarism. 

Yesterday’s game was an interesting one, mainly because it did not follow the script of the week eight matchup between these two teams at all, a game where both Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers turned back the clocks and looked like all-pro quarterbacks. Instead, the Steelers’ 34-12 victory at Heinz Field was a more defensively-oriented showdown, with two of the four Pittsburgh touchdowns being scored by the defense. Bengals’ wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who had 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown in the first matchup, was held to a measly 30 yards on three receptions yesterday, even though he was still targeted ten times. His most notable contribution? Spitting on defensive back Jalen Ramsey. 

With 12:54 to go in the game, and the Steelers up 20-9 courtesy of a Kyle Dugger pick-six, Jalen Ramsey and Ja’Marr Chase were exchanging words following the Bengals’ use of a timeout before a fourth-and-one attempt. On the previous play, both Chase and Ramsey were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct resulting from an altercation between the two. During this particular altercation, Ramsey grabbed Chase’s facemask and punched him, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and an ejection. 

At the time, I thought Jalen Ramsey was being an idiot. I thought that he let Chase get under his skin with words and that the Steelers’ defensive back needlessly lashed out in anger. 

After the game, Ramsey said that Chase spat on him, which the Bengals’ receiver denied. Hey, Ja’Marr, next time you deny something, you might want to make sure there is not video evidence.

The photo above is not good quality, but there are plenty of videos online that clearly show Chase hawking a loogie at Ramsey. Spitting on someone is one of the most disrespectful and cowardly things you can do, and I now support Ramsey punching Chase in the face. 

Beyond that ejection, it was an eventful game all around. Aaron Rodgers got hurt late in the first half and did not return, citing a left wrist injury. Mason Rudolph played the second half, going 12-16 for 127 yards and a passing touchdown to Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell also stepped into a larger role, as Jaylen Warren picked up an ankle injury in the second half. He ended the day with two receiving touchdowns on 81 yards, as he caught seven balls. He also carried the ball nine times for 24 yards. 

The Steelers are now 6-4 and remain a game ahead of the Ravens at the top of the AFC North. They have three incredibly difficult games lined up, including this Sunday in Chicago against the 7-3 Bears. Will the Steelers have Rodgers back at quarterback? The current feeling is that he will be a 50/50 chance to play…are they better off with Mason Rudolph at the helm regardless? 

Hopefully, Jaylen Warren will be okay, Jalen Ramsey will not be further disciplined, and Ja’Marr Chase will be suspended for his assault via bodily fluids.