Steelers Now Have Massive Disadvantage In Week 2 Against Denver

The Pittsburgh Steelers are celebrating a hard-fought Week 1 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Despite facing adversity, the team managed to secure an 18-10 win. Just 90 minutes before kickoff, starting quarterback Russell Wilson informed Justin Fields that he was too injured to play. This last-minute revelation thrust Fields into a high-pressure situation, which he handled with impressive composure.

Before the game, many analysts predicted a Steelers loss, with oddsmakers listing them as four-point underdogs. However, the Steelers defied the odds and emerged victorious. Now, they are shifting their focus to their Week 2 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Adding to the challenge, it was announced on Thursday that the game will be officiated by a crew led by Clete Blakeman. Historically, games overseen by Blakeman have not favored the Steelers, adding another layer of difficulty to their upcoming contest. The Steelers will need to overcome both their opponents and these added hurdles as they prepare for their next game.

While statistics like these often don’t carry much weight, the numbers in this case are striking. The Steelers have won only three games when officiated by Blakeman’s crew, a less-than-encouraging stat. However, overcoming challenges with refereeing is a familiar scenario for Pittsburgh.

In their Week 1 matchup against the Falcons, the Steelers experienced several frustrating moments. Notably, a controversial offensive pass interference call against George Pickens nullified a significant gain and denied Fields a perfectly thrown deep ball. Despite these setbacks, Pittsburgh’s resilience in the face of such adversity remains a hallmark of the team’s character.

Another controversial moment occurred when TJ Watt was flagged for offsides on a strip sack of Kirk Cousins. This penalty wiped out a spectacular play by Watt, who later learned that the referee admitted to making a mistake on that call. In another instance, Watt’s second strip sack drew a flag, though this one was less contentious.

Additionally, there was a contentious call involving punter Cameron Johnston. During a punt, Johnston was run into, yet instead of a roughing the punter penalty being assessed against the Falcons, the flag was thrown on the Steelers. These calls added to the frustration of the game and exemplified the challenging officiating the Steelers faced.

While the officials likely didn’t intend to create additional adversity for Pittsburgh, the Steelers certainly faced their share. Despite the challenges, the team and Watt persevered and secured the victory. Watt humorously commented on the officiating after the game, ending the day with a dramatic walk-off sack.

Steelers Likely To Face Adversity Against Denver Again

As the Steelers prepare for their upcoming road game in Denver, they may face more officiating challenges. With Wilson's status uncertain, it seems Fields will start again. This will give Fields another exciting opportunity to prove he's worthy of being a starter in this league.

It will be interesting to see how the game is officiated. Given Blakeman's crew's reputation, even if the officiating is fair, Steeler Nation may still scrutinize every call. Fans are eager to see if any controversial decisions will affect the game and hope that no crucial plays will be undone.

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