Steelers' Mike Tomlin Can't Seem To Meet A Challenge He Can Win

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a storied franchise, a true part of NFL history. They are tied for the most Lombardi Trophies ever with six. However, there is always a downside to a success story, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin and his success rate with in-game challenges is one of them for the Steelers. 

Tomlin is now in his 17th season as the Steelers head coach. In that time, he has thrown the challenge flag 91 times and been successful 38 of them. That hasn't stopped him from throwing them based either on his gut feeling, his own eyes, or what he is being told from up top. 

The Steelers' Week 7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams was no different. After being down most of the game, the Steelers were fighting to get back into it. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a 32-yard pass to rookie phenom, wide receiver Puka Nacua, and he caught it on the sideline. Nacua, who the Steelers struggled to shut down, made a phenomenal catch and dragged his toe, but it appeared part of the foot went out of bounds. 

Tomlin did not like what he saw and threw the challenge flag. After taking a look, the refs ruled that the ruling on the field of a completed catch stood and that Tomlin lost the challenge. That play set the Rams up to score off of a run by running back Darrell Henderson.   

During Tomlin's pregame press conference headed into Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he was asked about that challenge and why he decided to throw the flag. The reporter wondered if he was challenging the "toe-heel step rule" and if his decision was based on what he had seen, or information he was given from up top. 

"I didn't like the pace with which they were rushing the ball and we weren't getting information quickly enough. It was close enough to run the risk of challenging at that juncture. I was standing on the sideline, I saw how close it was to the white. I wasn't sure whether he was in or not. The pace of it and the lack of information, it was just worthy because it was a field flipping chunk play at that juncture."

As a follow up, the same reporter asked him if he told the referees what aspect of the play he was challenging. Meaning did he say he thought it was out of bounds, or suggest that the receiver didn't have full possession? Tomlin added that it didn't really matter what he told the referees, they have a method of handling reviews. 

"It doesn't matter what you say, all components of the play are reviewable once you challenge. So what is said, even though I may try to direct them and provide them information in terms of what I want them to look for, you don't have to say anything. Once you challenge a play, all components of the play are under review."

Tomlin said he isn't worried about things outside of his control. He noted that if a procedural issue is a struggle for him, then it will be a struggle for others and said those things tend to work themselves out. 

While the referees said that Nacua was in bounds for this catch, it has gone the other direction in the past. During the 2022 season, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins had a touchdown taken away when his toes were inbounds, but his heel went out. The seeming inconsistencies in how the rule is applied make Tomlin's challenge of the catch very understandable. 

Steelers Losing The Challenge Was Not Their Only Hurdle Week 7

Losing the challenge wasn't the Steelers' only obstacle to overcome during the Rams game. The team was penalized a season-high eight times for 76 yards during the game. Three of them were 15-yarders, two for taunting, one from George Pickens and the other from Diontae Johnson. The taunting penalties had the potential to be very costly as they came during the fourth quarter while the Steelers were trying to get and then maintain a lead to win the game. 

Tomlin let everyone know that he was not happy with how chippy the receivers were during the game, but also took some of the blame on himself. He told reporters that referees warned them after running back Najee Harris engaged in some trash talk of his own early in the game, that they would run a tight ship. They certainly meant it by throwing 11 flags against the Steelers in total. Those 76 yards worth of penalties were the second-most for Pittsburgh since 2021.  

Despite the setbacks with the lost challenge and the penalties, Pittsburgh found a way to come out on top. They won the game 24-17 and it has them in second place in the AFC North behind the Baltimore Ravens who have played one more game than Pittsburgh this season. 

What did you think about Tomlin challenging that catch? Did you think it was complete? Tell us what you think! Click to comment below. 

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