The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals have one of the most intense rivalries in football, typical of the AFC North. Whenever these two teams face off, the games are always brutal, filled with plenty of storylines and harsh hits.
Joshua A. Bickel / Associated Press
Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith (56) sacks Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the 2022 season opener in Cincinnati, OH.
Joe Burrow, coming off a season where he missed time due to a wrist injury, recently joined the Barstool Sports podcast, Pardon My Take, to discuss the upcoming season. During his time on the podcast, Burrow mentioned the Steelers, joking about doing the full moon celebration to Steelers fans. Burrow also gave high praise for Steelers star TJ Watt.
While recounting how he got hurt at FedEx Field, where the Washington Commanders play, Burrow recalled injuring his knee as a rookie on that field. PFT Commenter, a die-hard Commanders fan, described how Washington's field team uses kitty litter on the field and then spray paints it green. Burrow quickly realized that Pittsburgh does something similar at Acrisure Stadium. Burrow is not a fan of playing on the road at Pittsburgh.
“Yeah, they do that in Pittsburgh because sometimes Pitt, the college team in Pittsburgh, plays on Saturday, and we get there on Sunday, like what’s all this sand? I guess it’s kitty litter? I hope not,” Burrow said.
The Steelers share their home field with the college team right in their backyard, the Pitt Panthers. When the Panthers play on Saturday and the Steelers take the field the following day, the natural grass endures significant wear and tear. It seems as if the Steelers' field crew uses kitty litter to help rejuvenate and repair the field.
Morgan Timms / Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers home grounds, formerly known as Heinz Field, changed to Acrisure Stadium in 2022.
While Burrow may have his complaints about playing on natural grass, one could argue that it is safer than artificial turf. The 2023 season saw several major injuries on artificial turf, highlighting the risks. One of the most significant injuries occurred to New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who tore his Achilles on his first drive of the year on the artificial turf at MetLife Stadium, sidelining him for the entire season. This incident fueled a lot of outrage from fans, who advocated for more games to be played on natural grass to help limit such injuries.
It does not appear that the Steelers will be changing their field maintenance practices anytime soon. While Burrow may have his grievances, Steelers fans can take solace in knowing that one of their biggest rivals detests playing on Pittsburgh's home turf. The exact reason behind the use of kitty litter on the field remains unclear, but it is likely employed to strengthen the soil and aid in the field's recovery.
Steelers Look To Continue Dominating The Bengals With A Healthy Joe Burrow
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Burrow will be healthy and ready to compete, eliminating any advantage the Steelers had from his absence in their victories over the Bengals in 2023. Steelers fans hope that their team can maintain their winning streak against a fully fit Burrow and continue their success in the upcoming season.
In the 2023 season, the Steelers faced off against the Bengals twice, winning both games. With Jake Browning as the Bengals' quarterback, the Steelers secured a 16-10 victory on November 26th, in their first game after firing Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. This game marked a turning point as the Steelers' offense finally broke their streak of not surpassing 400 total yards.
-544x306.jpg "Steelers George Pickens")
Peacock NBC Sports
Steelers' George Pickens exploded for 195 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals.
On December 23rd, Mason Rudolph and George Pickens delivered an offensive masterclass, leading the Steelers to a resounding 34-11 victory over the Bengals. This performance, filled with touchdowns, was a memorable Christmas gift for Steelers fans.
Looking ahead to 2024, the Steelers hope to continue their dominance against a healthy Burrow, maintaining their winning streak and building on their 2023 successes.
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