The Steelers had a lot to celebrate last night but ultimately ended up on the losing side of the contest.
First, take a look at some of the Good:
After finding themselves in a 29-0 hole with 6:15 in the 3rd quarter, Pittsburgh fired off 21 unanswered points on three consecutive drives. During that stretch, Minnesota ran only four offensive plays, thanks in part to the first of two interceptions from CB Ahkello Witherspoon.
This is what followed that interception, and some people are upset about it:
The Steelers’ defense last night was abysmal and it’s tough to watch them having fun while losing by three scores. “Tone-deaf” is a phrase that may not be unfair.
I find many celebrations obnoxious, but I’m also aware that the guys on the field get fired up by and – build off of – that energy. I will never fault a guy for celebrating a big play, as long as the clock is stopped.
Which brings us to WR Chase Claypool. Tomlin briefly benched him in the first quarter for costing the team an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but he was key to the second half come-back. On the game’s final drive he caught 4/4 targets for 69 yards, but then this happened:
Ultimately the come-back came just short, with an incomplete pass in the end zone as time expired that could have tied the game. Had Claypool got up looking for the ref to spot the ball, Ben would have had exactly one more shot at the end zone. It didn’t take points off the board but it took a down off the clock. It didn’t lose the game but it cost the Steelers one last chance to win.
Like I said, I never blame a guy for being fired up; it’s a matter of situational awareness. It’s been about two full years since Claypool played a football game where the clock stops after a first down. It was a rookie mistake, and that’s not acceptable for a guy in his second season.
Steely Cam 