Steelers' questionable fake punt backfires big time, draws mixed reactions


Steelers' questionable fake punt backfires big time, draws mixed reactions

The Pittsburgh Steelers got frisky in the first quarter of the Week 10 contest against the Washington Commanders, when head coach Mike Tomlin decided to go with a fake punt that ended up failing.

The play call was incredibly risky, to say the least, as the Steelers were on their own 16-yard line when they attempted the fake punt. And, it was actually pulled off to perfection before cornerback James Pierre couldn't complete the play.

The snap went to safety Miles Killebrew, who fired a pass down the sideline to the waiting Pierre. However, the cornerback could not come up with the catch, which handed the ball to the Commanders in a perfect position to score.

As you'd expect with the way the Commanders have been on offense this season, they managed to cash in. Just three plays later, Commanders running back Austin Ekeler punched it in from one yard out to tie the game at seven.

The decision drew mixed reactions from fans. Some were OK with the call after it was nearly executed to perfection, but others rightly believed Pittsburgh should not have taken that kind of risk against a good offense.

"Actually like the call there on the fake punt," one fan wrote. "They saw something and trusted it. Regardless of where you were on the field. Should of be been caught. Aggressive call, credit to Tomlin. But now you have to coach your a__ off to counter it."

"I've seen Tomlin and the Steelers make some incredibly questionable calls over the years, but that fake punt on their own 16 yard line had to be one of the most questionable," another fan said. "They just gave Washington 7 points.

"Not blaming the call. It's probably a built-in check anyway. James Pierre just has to make the play," Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot wrote.

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