Bengals rookie linebacker Vontaze Burfict had a whopping 18 tackles on Sunday against the Ravens, his highest total in a season in which he was the Bengals’ tackling leader. Burfict says Ravens running back Ray Rice deserves the credit.
Early in that game, Burfict and Rice were pushing and shoving after a play, Rice got a personal foul penalty, and Burfict said Rice made him angry -- and Rice should know not to make Burfict angry, because you wouldn’t like Burfict when he’s angry.
“After he did that little cheap shot, I felt like, ‘OK, let’s go,’” Burfict said, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It kind of had me on fire for the rest of the game. Just channeling my emotions in the right way.”
Burfict said he’s going to channel that same energy in Saturday’s postseason game against the Texans.
“It’s the playoffs. I should already be there,” Burfict said. “I should be ready to go, fired up. I’m excited. I’ve got another chance to try to get to the Super Bowl in my rookie year. I know some guys with 10 years in the league who haven’t made it to the playoffs. I’m blessed with a great team, great teammates, and great coaches. Go into the playoffs and hopefully get this win this week.”
If Burfict flies around the field against the Texans the way he did against the Ravens, he’ll give his team a good chance.