Steelers - Lions

[Northern_Blitz]

That is weird ....i'm almost positive it said 3rd & 1 for a long time on my tv screen. Wonder if TV didn't realize it was a first down until right before the play was snapped & then changed it then while i was so focused on the play? Weird.

It's also possible that the play-by-play is wrong. Seems like it happened pretty fast in real time, so would have been easy for the TV crew or whoever / whatever entered the info into the play-by-play to be wrong.

I was listening to the local crew on Steelers Nation Ratio. And while they are loveable for their homerism, they get so many things wrong. So this kind of thing isn't unexpected IMO.

Big budget national games make mistakes too. Like on Monday when the announcers said it was off the cross bar when it was well short on the final FG. I think that Monday night game was one of the worst calls I've ever heard. Maybe just because they seemed so pro-Chicago? But they seemed to make so many mistakes IMO. And presumably that's a pretty tough job to get.

They need to get Pat McAfee on that program yesterday. Or make the Manning bros the standard broadcast.

But they want super-bland, made for the most casual audience commentary. So people like us that like the game have to suffer.

[Northern_Blitz]

That is the saddest part of the whole day...

I'm still wondering how many teams have (i) turned it over twice in OT and (ii) not lost.

It's got to be super-rare to play that poorly in a sudden death period and not get burned by it (although ties always feel like losses).

[papillon]

Regardless of what the broadcast booth said or the screen showed, I'm certain that the referees notified the Steelers that it was a first down, otherwise I have to believe they clock it and try the kick.

Pappy

[NJ-STEELER]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20c_7udJuIw

here's what happened.

immediately after DJ goes out of bounds, 3rd and 1 flashes on the bottom of the screen as he's on the screen walking back to the huddle

they show the replay and when they cut back live (boz taking a sip from his water bottle) it now says 1st and 10

poor job by the booth not informing the viewers

[feltdizz]

The video above clearly shows the down and distance as 1st and 10. I don't recall thinking it was 3rd down.

Pappy

The Muth play showed as if we were short of the first down marker with the line graphics.

Even if it was 1st down I think trying to get closer for a game winning FG is the right call.

[Mr.wizard]

From Post Gazette:

Coaching: When you’re playing without your starting quarterback on short notice, your job is to simplify things, not make them more complicated. The offense had first and goal at the 5 early in the third quarter, and the next three plays called were passes — all incomplete. Najee Harris is arguably your best offensive player, and he didn’t touch the ball. That’s a problem. Coach Mike Tomlin said the first play in the dumbfounding sequence was a run-pass option and that Rudolph decided to throw. Here’s an idea: Don’t call an RPO in the first place. In response to a question about Rudolph not going under center more when Green was having trouble with his shotgun snaps, Tomlin replied, “It’s irrelevant.” But a 19-yard loss on a snap that sailed over Rudolph’s head in overtime was more than relevant. It was one of the most consequential plays of the game.

Grade: F

Why is it dumb to pass if your facing a front geared up for the run. Ya Rudolph is the back up but he is not a rookie and you asking him to complete a 5 yard pass. Also you dont put Rudolph under center if he isnt comfortable under center just because your center is having trouble snapping the ball. Green needs to get his act together.

[NJ-STEELER]

Why is it dumb to pass if your facing a front geared up for the run. Ya Rudolph is the back up but he is not a rookie and you asking him to complete a 5 yard pass. Also you dont put Rudolph under center if he isnt comfortable under center just because your center is having trouble snapping the ball. Green needs to get his act together.

ask the writer from the post gazette

[NorthCoast]

From Post Gazette:

Coaching: When you’re playing without your starting quarterback on short notice, your job is to simplify things, not make them more complicated. The offense had first and goal at the 5 early in the third quarter, and the next three plays called were passes — all incomplete. Najee Harris is arguably your best offensive player, and he didn’t touch the ball. That’s a problem. Coach Mike Tomlin said the first play in the dumbfounding sequence was a run-pass option and that Rudolph decided to throw. Here’s an idea: Don’t call an RPO in the first place. In response to a question about Rudolph not going under center more when Green was having trouble with his shotgun snaps, Tomlin replied, “It’s irrelevant.” But a 19-yard loss on a snap that sailed over Rudolph’s head in overtime was more than relevant. It was one of the most consequential plays of the game.

Grade: F

I was asking myself why not put Rudolph under center more and run more PA to free guys up in their routes. The only thing I can think is a) Rudolph told the coaches he wasn't comfortable running it, or b) the coaches didn't want expose him to a pass rush with his back to the defense. Not unreasonable considering he is a slower processor and has a slower release than Roethlisberger. My guess is that there were a lot of last minute decisions made before the game. But still, Rudolph should be able to run most of the offense even though it is new.
But really, put the blame where it should go. Green needs to be better.

[Eich]

Why is it dumb to pass if your facing a front geared up for the run. Ya Rudolph is the back up but he is not a rookie and you asking him to complete a 5 yard pass. Also you dont put Rudolph under center if he isnt comfortable under center just because your center is having trouble snapping the ball. Green needs to get his act together.

You don't have to slam Najee into the teeth of the defensive front every time. There are other run plays to consider to catch the defense off guard.

It might be a 5 yard pass for Rudolph but it's the most difficult 5 yard pass on the entire field. Just like it's difficult to run when the D is geared up for the run, it's also difficult to pass when all the defenders are within a few yards of our receivers.

On 1st and 2nd down, I'd go with the putting the ball in Najee's hands or one of the receivers while in motion. The weakest link on the entire offense is Rudolph, yet we let him pass 3 times.

[Buzz]

Now they're saying no Ben

Defense steps up
Steelers 16
Lions 13

Looks like I was 3 points too optimistic about our D

[Mr.wizard]

You don't have to slam Najee into the teeth of the defensive front every time. There are other run plays to consider to catch the defense off guard.

It might be a 5 yard pass for Rudolph but it's the most difficult 5 yard pass on the entire field. Just like it's difficult to run when the D is geared up for the run, it's also difficult to pass when all the defenders are within a few yards of our receivers.

On 1st and 2nd down, I'd go with the putting the ball in Najee's hands or one of the receivers while in motion. The weakest link on the entire offense is Rudolph, yet we let him pass 3 times.

I dont think it matters the defense is keying on Harris, you go with what is most favorable and that was the pass, you end up with a guy standing in the endzone wide open, so obviously going with the pass wasnt a terrible option.

[Steel Maniac]

Looks like I was 3 points too optimistic about our D

great prediction. Who knew our defense couldn't /wouldn't stop the run that day?

[hawaiiansteel]

The Muth play showed as if we were short of the first down marker with the line graphics.

Even if it was 1st down I think trying to get closer for a game winning FG is the right call.

yup, that was the right call.

[hawaiiansteel]

[papillon]

Jared Goff is the only guy that can see his own cerebellum
The Lions come into Pittsburgh and steal a tie. well, its Detroit they gotta steal somethin


Pappy