A few thoughts on the NFL playoffs

A couple of random thoughts after Week One of the NFL Post-Season and while we wait for the Eagles coaching carousel to stop:

* The Cincinnati Bengals are out of control. I've seen a lot of things in a lifetime of watching football. But I'm not sure I've ever seen anything quite like the way the Bengals became unhinged at the end of that game Saturday night, blowing the game and possibly cost head coach Marvin Lewis his job. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict, no stranger this kind of act, had been having a great game, capped by what appeared to be a game-clinching interception late in this bitterly contested game vs. the arch-rival Steelers.

Unfortunately, Burfict was not done. Neither was Adam 'Pacman' Jones. Both seem to come unhinged, committing personal fouls that, coupled with a crucial fumble that gave the Steelers one more shot, led to a game-winning field goal.

It was a meltdown for the ages. And there was nothing pretty about it.

Burfict blatantly went head-hunting and was slapped with a penalty. Jones then blew a gasket protesting the call and getting involved with a Steelers coach.

* The raw emotions weren't limited to the field. Cincinnati fans did not exactly do themselves proud, tossing things on the field and showering Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger with water bottles and other junk as he rode a car to the locker room after injuring a shoulder. Can you imagine what the reaction would be from the national media if that had occurred in Philadelphia?

* Finally, I was not impressed with the level of play I saw this weekend. Even more important, I did not see a team out there that I think the Eagles couldn't beat. Which only makes this wasted season only that more outrageous.

The Redskins got exposed in the second half by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Anyone think the Eagles couldn't have given them at least that much trouble.

Bring on baseball season.

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