FOXBORO -- The Patriots clearly weren't happy about something at the end of yesterday's game with the Bengals. What might have led to the late-game back-and-forth was what looked like a cheap shot taken by Bengals linebacker Vontze Burfict on Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett.
In the fourth quarter, during a completion to Patriots receiver Danny Amendola, Bennett had his back to Burfict when Burfict dove low at Bennett and made contact with the back Bennett's left leg.
"He apologized," Bennett said after the game. "He said he didn't try to do it. But it's part of the game. Stuff happens."
Stuff continued to happen as the drive continued, with both Rob Gronkowski and LeGarrette Blount picking up penalties for their extra-curricular interactions with Burfict and other Bengals defenders.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked about the play during his conference call on Monday, saying, "We'll let the league talk about that play . . . It's their decision. It doesnt really matter what any of us think about it anyway."
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the NFL is reviewing the play, "as is customary." Burfict would be considered by the league to be a repeat offender. He was suspended by the league for the first three games of this season for violations of player-safety rules. Before his suspension, Burfict was fined on six separate occasions for on-the-field incidents since 2013.