Rules Analyst Confirms The Steelers Were Nearly Cheated Out Of A Victory Over The Commanders

The Pittsburgh Steelers came away with a narrow victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. It was an anxiety-inducing game to watch for fans, as the Steelers found themselves down two possessions in the second half. Pittsburgh managed to get the win, but there were a lot of things that did not go their way. They took a gamble by running a fake punt which failed and set the Commanders up with a short field, they had two turnovers, and multiple missed calls from the officials.

This was a highly contested battle between two of the best teams during the 2024 season, and it came down to the very last play. Pittsburgh found the end zone four times, while the Commanders scored three touchdowns and kicked two field goals.

One of their field goals has been a major talking point since the game concluded, as it appeared Donte Jackson had a good rush going off of the edge and was in a good position to block the kick. However, Jackson was clearly held, but it was not called. 

Washington got three points to make it a six-point game at the end of the third quarter. Rules analyst Gene Steratore went on 102.5 WDVE's Morning Show on Tuesday and confirmed there was a missed call.

"I thought there was one also on the field goal where the edge got kind of a little more than what we would, you don't really wanna get too ticky tacky on that 'cause there's always usually a little tiny bit of restriction on the edge, right?" Steratore stated. "But I think when you open a player up that much and see that, that kind of rises to the level of, felt like a little bit of a hold on the edge as well."

It looked like Jackson would have surely blocked the kick had he not been held, which could have completely changed the game. Zane Gonzalez wound up making the field goal from 41 yards, but had the penalty been called he would have had to attempt the kick from 51 yards. Kickers around the NFL can make that kick, but it isn't a sure thing, especially when considering that Gonzalez was signed by Washington in the week leading up to the game.

This wasn't the only call that didn't go Pittsburgh's way. Washington was backed up on their own three-yard line on second down with eight yards to go. They decided to pass, and TJ Watt had a good pass rush — nearly getting home on Jayden Daniels. Had he sacked him, it would have been a safety, but Watt was yanked away from the passer by the right tackle. It was a clear holding penalty, but again it wasn't called.