I'd like to point out 1 thing about Bettis's run.

[walzav29]

I have read a million articles with quotes like, "In the 3rd quarter, Bettis somehow managed to run for the 1st down." That Somehow is the Bengals, just like every fan watching thought the play was over. That's it. He was stopped, the Bengals stopped. Then he kept going. No Cincy shouldn't have let up, but quit acting like he just threw down 5 Bengals and churned with them powerful legs of his for another 5 yards. I know it makes a good story, but it isn't true. While I'm on the subject. I didn't enjoy Randy Cross blowing the Steelers the whole game either. I read a million preseason articles and everyone had the Steelers and Ravens going 1 and 2 in the division. That is why there are so many articles saying how the Steeler are this and that. They don't want to see the Bengals win it, because that would prove they are blowhard know nothings, just like the common fan!

[buck3y3d]

I have read a million articles with quotes like, "In the 3rd quarter, Bettis somehow managed to run for the 1st down." That Somehow is the Bengals, just like every fan watching thought the play was over. That's it. He was stopped, the Bengals stopped. Then he kept going. No Cincy shouldn't have let up, but quit acting like he just threw down 5 Bengals and churned with them powerful legs of his for another 5 yards. I know it makes a good story, but it isn't true. While I'm on the subject. I didn't enjoy Randy Cross blowing the Steelers the whole game either. I read a million preseason articles and everyone had the Steelers and Ravens going 1 and 2 in the division. That is why there are so many articles saying how the Steeler are this and that. They don't want to see the Bengals win it, because that would prove they are blowhard know nothings, just like the common fan!

The tackler didn't think the play was stopped and neither did Bettis. Watch his legs, he simply drove through the tackle. The line judge was running in from the side but the whistle had not blown. It just proved that a right guard can run over a safety. He should play RG at least.

[kingwilly]

On review, he churned for the yards, he wanted it more. Noone can dispute the heart on Bettis. His desire and determination has made him what he is, it certainly is not his pure physical ability. It is innate, not coached..

BUT...has anyone seen a worse game called for spotting the ball? I mean, how many times did they spot the ball a full yard, sometimes two, beyond where it appeared the ball carrier went down?

[richmond_mat]

On review, he churned for the yards, he wanted it more. Noone can dispute the heart on Bettis. His desire and determination has made him what he is, it certainly is not his pure physical ability. It is innate, not coached..

BUT...has anyone seen a worse game called for spotting the ball? I mean, how many times did they spot the ball a full yard, sometimes two, beyond where it appeared the ball carrier went down?

The bus is a HOF no doubt and just like michael jordan got all the calls, so too does Bettis. That first down was a reputational one. Our D shouldn't have let up until the whistle blew. But if it weren't the bus the whistle wood have blown.

I too agree about the spotty officiating last Sunday. For awhile I thought the game had to be at Heinz field.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

BUT...has anyone seen a worse game called for spotting the ball? I mean, how many times did they spot the ball a full yard, sometimes two, beyond where it appeared the ball carrier went down?

We were commenting on that also - almost in disbelief at times of the spots they were given - not that it mattered too much at that point...and the refs aren't why they lost - but NFL refereeing this year has been as atrocious as I've ever seen it. Waaay too many flags and bad calls all around in a lot of games across the board.

As for Bettis' run it was just an example of the Bengals' giving up and being demoralized. I was having flashbacks and couldn't watch it any longer during the last minutes of the 4th quarter, got up and left. I really didn't think this particular team was capable of that.

[redsbengalsbucks]

The game I watched looked like the defense was still trying but the offense gave up somewhere in the 3rd quarter.