NFL rules analyst sets the record straight on controversial call that resulted in a Steelers win against the Detroit Lions
Here is what former NFL official Gene Steratore said about the penalty that ended the game.
In one of the more action-packed games of the year, it was only fitting that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win over the Detroit Lions came down to the final play of the game. A fourth-down stand that produced the third win in a row for the Steelers, the result all but eliminates the Lions from postseason contention.
But the play didn’t come without controversy. Despite evidence of a clear push off from Lions star WR Amon-Ra St.Brown, the ball found its way from his hands to the hands of Lions QB Jared Goff, who scored what would have been the game-winning touchdown. Luckily, former official and NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore broke it all down.
Gene Steratore explains why officials made the right call on last play of Lions vs. Steelers
“At the end of Detroit vs. Pittsburgh, the ruling on the field was: A completed catch, a backwards lateral, and a touchdown by Detroit,” wrote Steratore on X-Twitter. “There was a flag thrown for offensive pass interference. The clock was at 0:00 when the touchdown occurred, and because the penalty was committed by the offense, the game is over, and the touchdown does not count.”
“My personal opinion is that St. Brown’s progress stopped around 0:02. If it had been ruled that way, the Steelers would’ve just declined the penalty, and it would have resulted in a turnover on downs (since St. Brown clearly does not score).”
Steratore’s explanation is the common sense this situation needed, and the one officials on the field could have used in their pow-wow, which felt like it lasted 10 minutes. The easy answer is that when St. Brown pushes off, that penalty ends the game.
Taking it a step further, it’s clear that he’s stopped well short of the goal line, and the play should be blown dead, also ending the game. Why the refs decided not to blow the whistle and allow Goff to make a run for it, and actually rule that a touchdown is beyond me.
The bottom line is that the Steelers got the victory, and that’s all that matters to the players and coaches in that locker room.
The process by which the crew got to said result is what makes you scratch your head. The questionable calls went beyond that last play, as you could argue that a big reason the Lions were down there in the first place was because of three ticky-tack calls earlier in the drive.
Even still, a win is a win, and the Steelers head home in good shape, even if the same can’t be said for DK Metcalf and T.J. Watt.
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