ESPN's Ed Werder reports that the NFL is reviewing the play where Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict hits Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger low for possible disciplinary action. (1:10)

The NFL is reviewing the play in which Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict hit Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in Sunday's game, league sources told ESPN.

Burfict, the subject of the Steelers' recent ire, dove for Roethlisberger's ankles after he released the ball during the first half of the Steelers' 33-20 win Sunday over the Bengals.

Teammates hold back Cincinnati's Vontaze Burfict as he argues with members of the Steelers during a pregame scuffle at midfield. John Grieshop/Getty Images

And Roethlisberger isn't buying Burfict's excuse for his low helmet hit.

During his weekly appearance with Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan, Roethlisberger recalled Burfict telling him on the field that he got pushed into him. He said Burfict, who was not penalized on the play but could be disciplined by the league, told him, "My bad."

Roethlisberger watched the clip after the game.

"I don't buy he was pushed," Roethlisberger said. "I think he was definitely diving low for my legs."

A Steelers source told ESPN that Roethlisberger's claim is validated based on film review.

"Dirty play, dirty player,'' the source said. "Tape doesn't lie. We're fortunate we didn't lose Ben for good."

Burfict appeared to celebrate a knee injury to Le'Veon Bell in the teams' Nov. 1 game, and he appeared to start Sunday's pregame scuffle that involved several players from both teams.

The Steelers-Bengals rivalry reached a boiling point Sunday with several after-the-whistle fights in the first half. Roethlisberger said the game featured more in-game chippy play than he can remember -- "stuff that was kind of unusual."

AFC North rivalries are always heated but should be controlled, Roethlisberger said.

"There's got to be a level of professionalism when you play," he said.

The Bengals were especially fired up, with cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones releasing a not-safe-for-work Instagram post on Sunday trashing the Steelers.

Asked whether the Steelers are in the Bengals' heads, Roethlisberger said, "I'm not going to say that, but I won't disagree with you."

Roethlisberger knows that physical games can be difficult to police but said officials are "the only ones that can do something." Players can't retaliate without risking penalty or ejection.

The Bengals are off Tuesday, but coach Marvin Lewis said Monday that he and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin talked about the incidents.

"I think neither side wants that," Lewis said. "That's not the way it should be. I know our team understands it. I talked to [Tomlin on Monday], and his team understands it. I think we both feel good about things. It's unfortunate that it happened. Mike's addressed it, and we've addressed it."

Burfict has a history of serious disciplinary issues for his play on the field. He has been fined a total of $77,000 for four incidents, most recently a $25,000 fine last season for deliberately twisting the ankles of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and tight end Greg Olsen.

The Steelers also question Burfict's intentions on another play in which he allegedly kicked offensive lineman David DeCastro in the face after the linebacker attempted to lift and slam running back DeAngelo Williams to the ground while tackling him.

ESPN's Coley Harvey contributed to this report.