The Steelers challenged an incredible play by the Patriots — but why?
On Twitter, several people voiced their disagreement with Mike Tomlin's decision.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to challenge a remarkable special teams effort by the Patriots was met with befuddlement and frustration Sunday evening.
Midway through the second quarter at Heinz Field, Pats punter Ryan Allen booted the ball inside the 15-yard line. After taking a big hop and bouncing inside the five-yard line, the ball seemed destined for a touchback when Jonathan Jones and Rex Burkhead teamed up to keep the ball from hitting the end zone. Linebacker Ramon Humber then downed the ball at Pittsburgh’s one-yard line.
Tomlin, however, challenged the ruling on the field, arguing that Burkhead’s toe was on the goal line when he batted the ball. Several took issue with his decision because replay footage clearly showed Burkhead was positioned acceptably. The ruling on the field was subsequently upheld, and Tomlin lost a timeout — and his 10th straight challenge. The 46-year-old has not won a challenge in over two years.
Still trying to figure out why Pittsburgh challenged this. https://t.co/HevwaTLufk
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 16, 2018
“Wouldn’t be a Steelers-Patriots game without Tomlin blowing a timeout on an idiotic challenge,” Pittsburgh sports radio host Andrew Fillipponi tweeted, referencing the AFC Championship in January 2017.
“That was a challenge by the Steelers hoping they were right, not based on any actual video evidence that they were right,” added the Washington Post‘s Mark Maske.
Two Steelers fan accounts — Blitzburgh and Steelers Depot — also questioned the decision.
Horrible challenge by Tomlin Silly, really #Steelers
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) December 16, 2018
After starting their drive at the one-yard line, the Steelers ended up turning the ball over on an interception.
