Bengals' recent accusations against Ravens set the table for playoff showdown
The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business with a dominant win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. In the process, they eliminated the need for a controversial coin toss. However, as soon as the game ended, more controversy has been added to the now-official Ravens-Bengals match-up next weekend. According to several Bengals players via […]
The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business with a dominant win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. In the process, they eliminated the need for a controversial coin toss.
However, as soon as the game ended, more controversy has been added to the now-official Ravens-Bengals match-up next weekend.
According to several Bengals players via The Athletic's Jay Morrison, the Ravens took "cheap" shots and did "dirty stuff" in the regular season finale.
Below are some of the most noteworthy quotes from the in-depth report which you can read here.
Cam Taylor-Britt: “It was a lot of late stuff. Just after the play, doing dirty stuff you shouldn’t do in football. Aiming at guys’ legs and stuff and other dirty hits. We don’t play like that. We’re gonna remember that.”
D.J. Reader: "I have respect for some guys over there, and I don’t for some. […] There was some s— I don’t agree with.”
It isn't the first time the Ravens receive accusations of this kind. Just last year, the Las Vegas Raiders even filed a complaint about John Harbaugh's team delivering unnecessary hits to WR Hunter Renfrow.
When asked if there was an additional level of "chippiness" in their game against the Bengals, the Ravens mostly downplayed the situation.
"It’s playoff football," Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell told reporters postgame. "Against a division opponent, this is kind of like a preview of what it’s going to be like next week. The chippiness – that’s division games."
"(Bengals OL Jackson Carman) got in there on that second down and wanted it to look impressive for his guys," OLB Justin Houston said about the sideline encounter late in the game. "You know that kind of beef. He was just trying to make an impression. If he were out there the whole game, he definitely would not be doing that.”
If the Bengals or Ravens have the most accurate version of events doesn't really matter now.
The game was played and Cincinnati emerged victorious. But this was a two-game event with the second part scheduled for next Sunday.
The Bengals must be ready for another physical showdown against their AFC North opponent.
Featured image via Sam Greene / USA TODAY NETWORK
