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CINCINNATI -- Vontaze Burfict is playing at the highest level of his career, and for the past couple of months at least, the embattled Cincinnati Bengals linebacker has managed to avoid the fines and costly penalties that have tarnished his reputation in recent years. "Mentally, he's in a good spot right now," Bengals cornerback Adam Jones said. "He still have his edge. But he can pick and choose his battles."
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Burfict leads the team with 92 tackles. He also has two interceptions, two sacks and seven pass breakups. His reckless pursuits in the open field and skill in coverage make Burfict among the most dynamic linebackers in the league.
On Sunday, Burfict will revisit the scene of his lowest point when the Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium.
In the closing seconds of last year's AFC wild-card playoff game, Burfict was flagged for a hit targeting Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, and a subsequent unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Jones helped set up the winning field goal in a stunning 18-16 Pittsburgh victory.
Some believe the Steelers might try to tempt Burfict's dark side on Sunday. "They'll try to bait him," Jones said. "I would, too."
This is the first time Burfict will face Pittsburgh (8-5) since that fateful night last January. He didn't play when the teams met in September because of his three-game suspension to start the season.
Through 10 games, the Bengals have seen mostly the best of Burfict and rarely the worst. He was fined $75,000 in October for allegedly stomping on Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount and a low hit on Pats tight end Martellus Bennett, bringing his total fines to $280,000 for eight on-field incidents.
But Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said a conversation Burfict had with NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks helped hammer home a message.
"He told him, 'You play in a different league than I played in,'" Lewis said. "Things are different in the league now. The scrutiny is different. Back in 1992 or '93, I think I coached the first guys that were ever fined. Their defense was, 'You're selling the 'NFL's Greatest Hits' (video) with us in it."
These days, NFL officials always on the lookout for hits that violate rules pertaining to player safety, and Lewis himself had discussions with Burfict during the offseason about changing his approach.
"Continue to do it the way you're coached to do it all the time," Lewis said of his message. "Understand what's allowable in this NFL of today."
With Cincinnati (5-7-1) clinging to a miracle's chance of reaching the postseason for the sixth consecutive season and playing a bitter rival at home, no doubt Burfict will be fired up. Will Pittsburgh take advantage?
"I understand the history, particularly the recent history," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday. "But we can't concern ourselves with that. We're going to come and come to play, and play in the manner in which we always play."
