CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers just can't help themselves.
The game didn't end Sunday for these two, who took to social media to blast each other after the Steelers' 33-20 win. Responding to a not-safe-for-work Instagram post from Bengals corner Adam Jones, Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert made clear on Twitter what he wants this holiday season: a rematch with the Bengals in the playoffs.
All I want for Christmas is the bengals. Would love to see them in the playoffs where they choke. The talking is done between the lines 🌕🌑
— Marcus Gilbert (@MarcusGilbert88) December 14, 2015No we are not thugs. We are professionals that seems to own the bengals 🐯 don't get mad bro 😂
— Marcus Gilbert (@MarcusGilbert88) December 14, 2015The tension hit a boiling point with Sunday's pregame scuffle that involved several Bengals and Steelers. The principals were Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who had angered the Steelers by appearing to celebrate a tackle that injured running back Le'Veon Bell on Nov. 1, and Steelers linebacker Vince Williams, who threatened Burfict on social media after that game, a Bengals win. Bell was lost for the season with a torn MCL.
On Sunday, Steelers players say the Bengals broke pregame etiquette by crossing the 50-yard line. "Disrespecting us," wide receiver Antonio Brown said. "We can't tolerate that."
At some point Sunday, Jones posted a video called, "That's how I feel !!!! F--- Pittsburgh !!!!"
"I'm sitting here looking at the thing on ESPN. I guess Pittsburgh got all gangsters," Jones said. "Mike Tomlin [should] tell his team to shut the f--- up and play football, because ain't nothing gonna happen to [Burfict], on the field or off the field. Dig that. Y'all want to go report something, report that. Bitches."
After apparently viewing Jones' post, Gilbert tweeted, "Pacman Jones can't be serious right now? Lol."
"No we are not thugs. We are professionals that seems to own the bengals," Gilbert said. "Don't get mad bro."
The antics have gotten so wild that Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth blames the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell for not curbing the heightened intensity. The Bengals should be a playoff lock at 10-3, while the Steelers are battling the Jets and Chiefs for an AFC wild-card spot. All three teams are 8-5.