When the NFL decided not to suspend Cody Wallace for his late hit on David Bruton, Denver was rightfully outraged. Just that same week, the Giants Odell Beckham Jr. was suspended a game for a hit that, many thought, was not as over-the-line as Wallace’s.
Wallace, a lineman, ran 15 to 20 yards to spear Bruton, a safety, well after the whistle was blown; it was disgusting then, and it is disgusting now.
And when the Broncos step back out on the field this Sunday to face the Steelers for the second time this season, there’s no doubt that Wallace’s hit will be on their mind.
But before things could escalate, Ben Roethlisberger spoke on Wednesday in an attempt to defuse the situation.
Ben Roethlisberger on Cody Wallace's late hit against @D_Brut30 last game: pic.twitter.com/c7DKHlCDvd
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 13, 2016
While Big Ben didn’t specifically say, “Sorry,” that’s about as close to an apology as the Broncos are likely to get from anyone inside the Steelers organization. And for Denver’s sake, I hope it does defuse the situation.
As we saw last weekend, tempers tend to flare when the Pittsburgh Steelers play football, and if we’re being honest, the Broncos haven’t been strangers to outbursts this season, either. Whether it was Aqib Talib‘s eye poke, T.J. Ward‘s punch or Malik Jackson‘s late hit, they’ve tip-toed over the line on several occasions this year.
That can’t happen on Sunday.
Things seem to be falling the Broncos’ way this week, but they could throw it all away with a dumb 15-yard penalty — just ask the Bengals.
The Broncos need to play strong and tough, but more importantly, they need to play smart. They can’t get into a fight with Wallace or any other Steeler because they want to avenge a hit that occurred two months ago.
This journey the Broncos are on is about a lot more than just one play.