The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals faced off for an AFC North showdown, but one pivotal play has sparked a debate within the Steelers' community. While the Steelers emerged victorious with a 16-10 road win, it was a play involving star wide receiver Diontae Johnson that caught the attention of fans, pundits, and even former Steelers great, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Andy Lyons / Getty Images
Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson tries to keep control of a ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12 of 2023.
Steelers' Diontae Johnson's Touchdown That Didn’t Count
During the first quarter of the game, Johnson made an impressive catch that appeared to be a touchdown for the Steelers. However, to the surprise of many, it was ruled not a touchdown by the officials. This decision left both fans and players puzzled, as it seemed evident that Johnson had secured a touchdown. It was clear that he got both feet in bounds and had possession of the ball in the end zone. However, after taking another step, he lost possession of the football.
Roethlisberger, a Steelers legend, voiced his concerns on his podcast Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger about the situation, questioning the team's decision not to challenge the call. He emphasized the need for additional support in making such crucial decisions.
"I think Pittsburgh, you know, why are we not challenging that? Why is there not someone upstairs? I know Coach T, at his press conference today, I didn’t see it, but I am sure he got asked that, and he said he saw it and he thought he wasn’t in, but you've got to have someone help him with that. I mean I saw the replay in my living room."
Roethlisberger's sentiment found support in CBS analyst and former NFL referee Gene Steratore. Steratore believed that had Coach Tomlin challenged the call, it would likely have been overturned to a touchdown based on the replay evidence.
This play in #PITvsCIN is a perfect illustration of the "Catch" rule and how instant replay is applied.
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) November 26, 2023
In real speed, watch how fast Diontae Johnson possesses the ball and then loses control of it. From an official's POV, this play appears to be an incomplete pass because the… pic.twitter.com/uYXC6JBPSZ
Roethlisberger reaffirmed his stance, emphasizing that someone should have recognized that the play was worthy of a challenge. He made it evident that the Steelers had a clear opportunity to observe it because even himself at home saw it.
“I saw the replay before the next ball was snapped; you could have absolutely seen it.”
Unfortunately for the Steelers, the play's aftermath was less favorable. Following the non-touchdown call, Jaylen Warren fumbled the football, giving the Bengals possession. The Steelers missed out on the opportunity to convert the play into points.
Carolyn Kaster / ap photo
Steelers' Jaylen Warren breaks a run against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Roethlisberger expressed his desire for the Steelers to be more adept at challenging plays, highlighting the importance of improving their decision-making in crucial moments on the field. He emphasized the need for a sharper strategy in identifying opportunities for challenges and acting upon them effectively to benefit the team.
“I wish that the Steelers were better at challenging plays and doing the right things.”
Tomlin's Challenging Record
Joe Sargent / Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin made the difficult choice to move on from Matt Canada and it seems to be paying off.
Tomlin's track record with challenge decisions has garnered attention as well. In 269 games, he has won just 41.8% of his challenges. During his press conference on Tuesday, Coach Tomlin addressed if he had help making his choice not to challenge the Johnson touchdown.
“Rest assured there is somebody on that job, home and away, all season — preseason, regular season, postseason.”
It's worth noting that Steelers Defensive Coordinator, Teryl Austin used to be the decision maker on replays a few years ago when he was a defensive assistant. However, since his promotion to defensive coordinator and his presence on the field, the responsibility has shifted to others.
The Decision Making Team
During Steelers games, there are five coaches in the box possibly responsible for assisting with decisions like challenging plays. These coaches include offensive assistant Glenn Thomas, assistant quarterbacks coach David Corley, assistant offensive line coach Isaac Williams, assistant defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander, and defensive quality control coach Jason Brooks. Coach Tomlin chose not to disclose the specific individual responsible for advising him on challenges, but it's reasonable to assume that it's one of these five coaches.
In the NFL, every organization has a system in place to assist with making decisions on challenging plays. While Coach Tomlin has the final say on whether to challenge a call, having a team of coaches dedicated to replay analysis is a common practice. However, the effectiveness of this system can vary, as evidenced by Coach Tomlin's challenge success rate.
As the Steelers move forward in the season, the call for improved decision making on challenges has gained momentum. With a former quarterback as experienced as Roethlisberger advocating for additional support in crucial moments, it remains to be seen how the Steelers will address this issue and whether it will impact their performance in upcoming games. Luckily for the Steelers this game was won from the leg of Chris Boswell connecting on all three of his field goals, but it could have been a much easier win with an extra six or seven points.
#SteelerNation
