Die Allianz T-D-P » (wk), 8 John Hastings, 9 Adam Z

After last year obviously it spiked up and Im not going to say I didnt like it. ... It just made me feel like, Man, this is football. This is gritty and this is grimy. --Marvin Jones, ex-Bengals receiver on how the Cincinnati-Pittsburgh rivalry has ignited into perhaps the fiercest in the NFLPITTSBURGH -- The latest incarnation of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Cincinnati Bengals rivalry seems here to stay, hopefully with a smaller concussion quotient.Sure, last years barrage of egregious hits and social media venom might never be matched. But theres little doubt both teams should be very good and very physical for years to come.Steelers players can say the Baltimore Ravens are their bigger rival. This year, Bengals weeks are much more interesting.This once-clumsy matchup doesnt have tradition on its side. It has been heightened by the occasional Bengals surge over the past three decades, but not many fans identify with the Bruce Coslet-Bill Cowher showdowns as a touchstone for AFC North football.Still, the nastiness was always there, with a rapid shift to uneasiness in the past few years.They are not going to lay down, and you have to appreciate that about them, Steelers guard Ramon Foster said.With the help of ESPNs Katherine Terrell and Coley Harvey, we track Bengals-Steelers from innocent beginnings to the vicious playoff game in January 2016, and whats left in its wake as the Steelers prepare to host the Bengals on Sunday..Early memoriesTunch Ilkin, Steelers offensive linemen (1980-92), analyst for Steelers Radio Network: Chuck [Noll] hated the fact wed go over there and the PA announcer would screw up the introductions. Hed always introduce us when we werent ready. Chuck said we will set up the introduction by taking the field before they could announce us, but they beat us to it.Chris Crocker, Bengals safety (2008-13): My biggest motivator was always playing against Hines [Ward], how dirty he always was. I knew I really had to raise my level of intensity. And really take it to him instead of he take it to me that week.Marvin Lewis deserves a lot of credit for igniting this rivalry. Multiple people interviewed mentioned his sustained success as a catalyst.Dan Hoard, Bengals play-by-play announcer: Marvins first Bengals playoff team (in 2005), they won the division, they opened the playoffs at home against the Steelers. On their first offensive play, Carson [Palmer] completes a 60-something yard pass to the late Chris Henry and former Bengal Kimo von Oelhoffen crashes into [Palmers] knee and tears his MCL and other ligaments. There have been incidents like that going back a long time. There was that, there was Hines Ward breaking Keith Rivers jaw.Emmanuel Lamur, Bengals linebacker (2012-15): Its aggressive, man. Its down to the wall, its all out, because you know how much this city hates the Steelers.Tyler Boyd, Bengals rookie wide receiver and University of Pittsburgh product (2016): Of all the games that have been played while Ive been around campus, the only one I ever heard about consistently is the Bengals games -- Bengals-Steelers. Everybody around there knows when the Bengals are coming to town.Vince Williams, Steelers linebacker (2013-16): The physicality has always been that way. If you just look over the years, when Carson Palmer was here and I was in high school, Carson Palmer and Joey Porter, its always been like that. The AFC North, I feel, is the most chippy and competitive division.Momentum shiftThe Steelers still try to play the big brother card, and they have ammunition: 25 wins over Cincinnati since 2000. Those scars fuel the Bengals now.William Gay, Steelers cornerback (2007-11, 2013-16): It was always one-sided. We were in the playoffs, they werent. Then when they were in the playoffs, we werent.Wallace Gilberry, Bengals defensive end (2012-15): It was a time when all you heard was Steelers, Steelers, Steelers when I was there. We kind of changed the atmosphere so to speak. When the little brother becomes a big brother, it started to shift. We were getting better.Ilkin: When Marvin [Lewis] got there and the Bengals got really good again, thats when things changed, intensity wise.Doug Legursky, Steelers center (2009-12, 2015): With the Ravens, through the years its more of a personal grudge match. With the Bengals, theres some of that, but there is an underlying respect with guys like Geno Atkins and Domata Peko. Weve always respected them.Marvin Jones, Bengals receiver (2012-15): I actually saw it really turn into what its become last year. ... It was always heat of the game, but it never got too frisky and stuff like that. It was just always a good, ground-and-pound AFC North game. But after last year obviously it spiked up and Im not going to say I didnt like it. ... It just made me feel like, Man, this is football. This is gritty and this is grimy. Hoard: The Steelers stomped them about three out of every four times back then. How good could a rivalry be when one team wins most of the time? But now that its highly competitive and the two teams have kind of gone back and forth about which teams are going to finish above the other in the standings, now its on.In a series rife with football brutality, Bengals punter Kevin Huber might have suffered the worst. A hit by former Steelers linebacker Terence Garvin broke Hubers jaw and cracked a vertebrae in his neck on a kickoff coverage sideswipe in 2013. Consider this a turning point.Huber, Bengals punter (2009-16): Thats probably the hardest Ive been hit in my life. ... He sent me a text a couple of days later. I think I was in surgery. I think I sent him a text back but nothing after that. I didnt expect him to send anything anyway.Garvin, Steelers linebacker (2012-15): I feel like the rivalry just grew, it grew over time to not like each other. [The hit] was just a piece of it and another part of the whole saga.The explosionDuring the 2015 regular season, Bengals-Steelers featured non-threatening headlines such as social media spats, fines and pregame shoving matches. Only the playoffs could elevate the hatred. The AFC wild-card matchup in Cincinnati was rainy, messy and exhausting for everyone involved. The Bengals were in position to win with a 16-15 lead and less than two minutes to play. But a Jeremy Hill fumble and personal foul penalties by Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones secured the Bengals streak of 25 years without a playoff win.Antonio Brown, Steelers receiver (2010-16): The Bengals had created some animosity toward us. Thats the fun part of this game. ... Any time someones getting used to getting beat a lot, they have to find something to get them going.Landry Jones, Steelers quarterback (2013-16): It just seemed like a bunch of bodies were flying out there [that day]. It was hard to know what was really going on. Both teams were really good and it was just heated.When Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier delivered that upper-body shot on Bengals running back Gio Bernard, the buildup was unavoidable. Though Shazier wasnt trying to injure Bernard -- he was adamant about that after the game -- Bengals players looked furious as their teammate laid on the turf. This game had no chance of ending smoothly.Gilberry: We were heated about that. Any time you see your guy on the ground, youre not going to like it. But that game was just physical all the way around.Gay: Its a game full of men who got their manhood and pride out there and playing for our families. I dont think it got carried away.Gilberry: I can see how in the moment things got a little too heated. Looking back, some of that stuff was too much. But football is physical. No ones going to apologize for that.The Bengals were in control, until the avalanche hit. Ninety-six seconds of real time elapsed between the Burfict interception and the unraveling after a Hill fumble and 30 yards of penalties by Burfict and Jones. Thats according to Hoard, who actually clocked it after the game. He couldnt sleep.Hoard:?Those were the 96 happiest seconds of my life. It was such an incredible feeling of exhilaration that theyd done it, they dont have to hear about the monkey on their back anymore, and 96 seconds later it was gone.A.J. Green, Bengals receiver (2011-16): It went from the happiest day of my life to the worst day of my life in about 10 seconds.Burficts helmet shot on Brown in the open field and Jones penalty for scuffling with Steelers assistant Joey Porter elicited different reactions, from confusion to concern to judgment.Ilkin: I kept saying what a bonehead [Jones is]. They just self-destructed in front of everyone.Jones: I was numb. Thats all I can say.Gay:?I was on the sideline just waiting on the refs to say something or no, see where the game goes. I knew we still had some time on the clock. It wasnt 0:00. We still had a chance. There are rules all the way back to Pop Warner. Cant run on the field. ... A lot of guys on our side I know were checking on AB. It wasnt more so running out to do anything. It was checking on a brother that was down.After losing nine of their past 12 to the Steelers, the Bengals didnt need to pave the way for a 10th. Especially one this painful.Dave Lapham, Bengals offensive lineman (1974-83), Bengals color analyst: At that point Im like everyone else, like wow, we got the ball, short field, were in pretty good shape. Im thinking this could really unfold. But everything that went on as guys were going absolutely nuts and running into the locker room, first thing that went into my mind was something Paul Brown said many, many times before: Act like youve been there before. I remember him telling us that all the time. Calm down, the games not over. Act like youve been there before. So that kind of came into my head and then the [Hill] fumble.Legursky: Once the game is over, we all look at it the same way -- [Burfict] gave us 15 yards. It was a learning lesson. Dont make the same mistakes other teams make. I dont think people really had an opinion of [Burfict].Eric Thomas, Bengals cornerback (1987-92): It seems like every time the game means the most, this team never seems to come out on top. And its somewhat of a stigma. Theyve got to find a way to get past that. The Steelers are a fine franchise, they arent a great team. And theres a difference between the two. You look at the Steelers history, which is fantastic, but you look at the Steelers teams over the last five or six years, and the Steelers havent been that good.The aftermathThose invested in the rivalry are left to wonder how to write the next chapter. Steelers players seem indifferent, as if their security as six-time Super Bowl champions doesnt allow vulnerability. Others are more upset with the excessive force.Cam Heyward, Steelers defensive end (2011-16): Were about winning. Were not into all the other stuff. Were about the scoreboard.Michael Johnson, Bengals defensive end (2009-13, 2015-16): Not only are they fun to play in, but I believe its fun for the fans to watch as well because it keeps you on the edge of your seat. If youre watching that game, youre going to get your moneys worth.Lapham: When youre on the field its like, I want to kick your butt. I hate you, from a sports standpoint. But in real life its like, OK, man, theres sports, and then theres life. And its like, you can go into the same room as a guy without having an altercation. This has gotten to a real unique spot because these guys cant even stand to look at each other. And Im starting to worry that the respect, you know, the one thing that I always liked about playing sports at any level, especially the professional level, was that respect level you had for your professional peers. And man, Im starting to wonder if that respect level is getting destroyed a little bit.Away from the field, some Bengals and Steelers are friends. They will clock in Sunday at 1 p.m., then keep in touch outside of work. Until its time to turn the physicality up another thousand decibels.Huber: There will be big hits this week. Its going to happen. But keeping guys safe is the biggest thing weve got to do.Gay: Rivals are down to the fans. Thats all they be. Its not as deep as it is for fans. You have fans who are from the city. But on a team you have guys who are from Florida, from Ohio, from Texas, all over the place. ... Its not the first time youll see that, not the last. People can make it more than what it is, but at the end of the day both teams are trying to win.Royals Jerseys 2019 . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. Fake Royals Jerseys . Sulaiman, 44, was chosen unanimously Tuesday in a vote by the leadership, the World Boxing Council said. Sulaiman becomes the sixth president of the organization. https://www.cheaproyals.com/ . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Stitched Royals Jerseys . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Wholesale Royals Jerseys . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast.Match factsOctober 5, 2016 Start time 1330 local (1130 GMT)Big PictureSouth Africa are a victory away from sealing their first bilateral ODI series win against Australia in seven years. They have already put on two perfect performances to get to this point. South Africa will be particularly pleased with its batting line-up, which had been hit by the absence of AB de Villiers, but has found other superstars. Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis have gone big, Rilee Rossouw has supported them strongly, JP Duminys finishing ability is being fine-tuned and the allrounders have not had to do much. But, they will be aware that those showings came against a side missing its frontline, and even some of its second-choice seamers, and on surfaces made for big totals.Daniel Worrall, Chris Tremain and Joe Mennie have endured a tough introduction to international cricket, but can expect things to relatively ease off as they head to the coast; on slower surfaces and in thicker air, the ball may not fly off the bat or to the boundary as quickly. More subtle skills will be required, and Adam Zampa could become even more of a factor, but for Australia to begin challenging in this series, they need their batsmen to come to the party in a big way. Converting starts will be one challenge for them, dealing with a varied South African attack that has found its focus is another.The home teams greatest luxury is the number of options at their disposal, and that is without even taking into account those sitting on the bench. Kyle Abbott, a Durban home-boy, Dwaine Pretorius and Aaron Phangiso have not made an appearance yet, and while South Africa may not want to tinker with a winning XI, they will also understand the importance of looking at what everyone can offer.Durban may not be the place for that, and you would be forgiven for wondering if it is the place for cricket at all. The good news is that the outfield saga that resulted in no play on three of the five days of the New Zealand Test in August has been resolved, and Kingsmead is set to show off as much as it can to repair any reputational damage. The best way for it to do that is not even in its control. Fans will seek an engaging contest, and the neutrals would want the side that has struggled so far to turn things around. Effectively, every match from here is a final for Australia, which they will have to win to take the series, but as history would remind us, Australia are pretty good at finals.Form guideSouth Africa: WWWLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)Australia: LLWWWIn the spotlightRilee Rossouw , who has reeled off two fifties in succession, kept Hashim Amla out of the XI in Johannesburg, and could do so again in Durban. Rossouw was made to front up before the media on match eve, a sign that he could play the third fixture. Rossouws form, which has been particularly pleasing to the selectors after he had spent the last two months recovering from a shoulder problem, is not in questionn, but how both he and Amla will fit into the team is.dddddddddddd Stand-in captain Faf du Plessis explained that the selectors made the decision to stick with Rossouw after Amla recovered from illness even though team policy is that the incumbent should get his place his back. Rossouw may be under pressure to keep proving himself, especially if Amla has to carry drinks again.Although Australias young attack has appeared their weaker suit, former wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said he expects Australias batsmen to step up. I think the batters were a little disappointing, to be honest, Haddin told the Big Sports Breakfast radio. Steven Smith is likely to come under the most scrutiny. The Australian captain has scored just 22 runs in the first two matches, but seemed it good touch before the series. Aaron Finch, who has scraped together 34 runs, will also want to offer more at the top of the order.Teams newsThe Amla-Rossouw debate will be in focus. Faf du Plessis has indicated he wants Amla back, which could see Rossouw pushed down the order at the expense of one of David Miller, JP Duminy or Farhaan Behardien. South Africa may want to give Dwaine Pretorius or Kyle Abbott an opportunity. They could do that by resting Dale Steyn, but may want to wait until the series is decided before experimenting.South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Rilee Rossouw/Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis (capt), 4 JP Duminy, 5 David Miller, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 Wayne Parnell, 8 Dwaine Pretorius/Andile Phehlukwayo, 9 Kyle Abbott/Dale Steyn, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Imran TahirAfter twin false starts, Aaron Finch may make way for Usman Khawaja while Australia will keep rotating their young seam attack. Joe Mennie took a pasting on debut and may be allowed to lick his wounds with Daniel Worrall coming back into the XI.Australia: (possible): 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch/Usman Khawaja, 3 Steve Smith (wk), 4 George Bailey, 5 Travis Head, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Mathew Wade (wk), 8 John Hastings, 9 Adam Zampa, 10 Chris Tremain, 11 Daniel WorrallPitch and conditionsMore eyes will be on the outfield than the pitch, especially after it received some rain on Monday. It has been dry since, and should stay that way for the match, which will prevent the problem of August from recurring. The surface itself will be slower than what was available upcountry, which could mean lower totals and more opportunity for bowlers, especially the spinners, to have their say.Stats and triviaThe last time South Africa won a bilateral ODI series against Australia was in April 2009David Miller is 131 runs away from completing 2,000 runs in ODIsQuotesIts really important that we dont, for one second, become complacent because we know we are very far away from winning this series.Faf du Plessis warns South Africa not to expect things to be easy over the next three matches ' ' '