The Denver Broncos didn't play during this weekend's opening round of the NFL playoffs, having earned a number one seed and a first-round bye after Peyton Manning led the team to a comeback win over the San Diego Chargers.
But Broncos' fans had a major rooting interest in the outcome of the Cincinnati Bengals-Pittsburgh Steelers match-up on Saturday night — especially after the contest turned into shit show of epic proportions.
The Broncos would have had to play the Kansas City Chiefs — winner of eleven games straight, including a 30-0 trouncing of the Houston Texans earlier in the day — had the Bengals earned a W. And Cincy seemed well on its way to doing so before a late fumble and two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties courtesy of Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones allowed the Steelers to earn an unlikely victory.
Now, Denver gets the chance to avenge an earlier loss against Pittsburgh, which is coming off a blood feud during which quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and killer receiver Antonio Brown both suffered injuries. And while the Pittsburgh press is reporting that both are likely to play against Denver, they may be at less than 100 percent.
The opportunity of taking on a wounded opponent rather than a juggernaut definitely appealed to members of Broncos Nation who took to Twitter after the Steelers' win, with plenty of attaboys to the Bengals for their unfathomable but greatly appreciated idiocy. Check out the twenty most memorable tweets below, complete with images from the Cincinnati-Pittsburgh game.
Number 20:
Thank you @Bengals! See you in Denver @steelers. Go @Broncos!! #PITvsCIN
— Talk Shit Too (@iTalkShitToo) January 10, 2016Number 19:
Thank you @Bengals for completely melting down. Now the Broncos are playing PIT instead of the red hot Chiefs :D
— Hunter Overstreet (@HunterOverst) January 10, 2016Number 18:
Even if you don't win, I thank you Bengals for beating the Steelers to hell for us. Regards, Broncos fans.
— Brett Zimmerman (@OfficialBZimmer) January 10, 2016Number 17:
Hey, look, #Broncos just got a bye to the AFC title game! Thanks, Bengals! #PITvsCIN
— AM in the AM (@AngusMilman) January 10, 2016Number 16:
Thanks @Bengals for the loss against @steelers my @Broncos appreciate the easier division game.
— Justin (@treefortjebjeb) January 10, 2016Number 15:
The Bengals are a disgrace! Idiots! Thanks, though. Would rather have the injured Steelers! Go Broncos! #denverbroncos #NoFlyZone
— Sandi Hughes (@djsandstorm) January 10, 2016Number 14:
@Bengals thanks for being a bunch of immature fools on the field so we don't have to play the @Chiefs next weekend! #Broncos #UnitedinOrange
— Jenn Russell (@JennRussell82) January 10, 2016Number 13:
@Bengals classless! Thanks for the @Broncos victory next weekend! #PITvsCIN
— SupaMcNasty (@rambleUSA) January 10, 2016Number 12:
@MikeReiss So Pats get rolling Chiefs Broncos get decimated Steelers?! Thanks and nice job @Bengals!! You are disgraceful losers ALL!
— Metalcop (@JeffrylClark) January 10, 2016Number 11:
At least The Broncos should win now
Thanks for taking out a few players Bengals
— Bryan (@BryanLutz70) January 10, 2016Number 10:
You suck @Bengals. Thanks a lot now @Broncos get the #bye next week instead of the @Patriots. #stupid #NFLPlayoffs #WildCardWeekend
— Nate (@scorekeeper77) January 10, 2016Number 9:
Great broncos get double bye thanks to the trash Bengals injuring big Ben and Antonio brown
— Mike Hromowyk (@mhromowyk) January 10, 2016Number 8:
So because of the Bengals, @Broncos don't have to play the redhot Chiefs next week. Thanks
— Kary Spruill (@KSprizzle22) January 10, 2016Number 7:
The Broncos overcame a 14-0 deficit to defeat the Bengals in overtime, thanks in part to a fumbled snap.
— ???????? ??????????2 (@2_eugene40117) January 8, 2016Number 6:
The @Bengals gave that game away! The players were truly stupid! Now @Broncos need 2 take out the @steelers please! #MichaelVickBadDogKarma
— Lisa S? (@ldstarr18) January 10, 2016Number 5:
The Bengals should clean house, Broncos you are lucky #Chiefs would've crushed Peyton again
— Shane Hauschild (@KcShane85) January 10, 2016Number 4:
so because of the bengals meltdown, chiefs are headed to new england and broncos get an injured big ben and a concussed antonio brown. dumb.
— Adam Paul Cooper (@adampaulcooper) January 10, 2016Number 3:
What a night for the Chiefs, Patriots and Broncos! Bengals implode and Steelers have their 2 stars get hurt!
— Tim Greenman (@TimothyGreenman) January 10, 2016Number 2:
I was frothing at the mouth for the Chiefs to get another crack at Frankehead and the Broncos. Thanks for screwing that up, Cincy.
— Ryan (@rft2232) January 10, 2016Number 1:
How I feel when the Broncos dont have to play the Chiefs because the Bengals are stupid @RDJr__ pic.twitter.com/oOA2HQvwcc
— Tashan (@tashan1996) January 10, 2016
