Another instant classic at Heinz Field
Referee Walt Coleman stood front and center for the final time just before the clock struck 12 Sunday night (or is it Monday morning?), turned on his microphone and, in his Southern lilt, uttered a quick, right-to-the-point statement.
Something like 鈥淭he game is over,鈥� or as I interpreted the statement in the mayhem as I attempted to figure out what to do 鈥� statistically 鈥� with the last play of the 239-minute game, 鈥淥h, by the way, the game蘑菇视频 over.鈥�
The boys in the stripe shirts ended on a high note, as did the Steelers defense 鈥� notably rookie T.J. Watt 鈥� in the final ticks of the marathon game. Yep, all parties concerned, at least from the Steeler perspective, needed about 59:54 to figure it out, but got it right at the correct time.
So, now your Steelers are one win (or Jacksonville loss) from getting a first-round bye in the playoffs, and two victories from staying at home throughout the AFC playoffs.
But, let蘑菇视频 not jump ahead. Sunday蘑菇视频 big game against the dreaded Tom Brady is still a few days away.
Back to the Steelers defense and the part-time employees of the NFL.
The boys in the stripes 鈥� nor the Steelers defense, for much of the game 鈥� didn鈥檛 have one of their better efforts Sunday night. And, I鈥檓 guessing, that feeling is universal on either side of the Chesapeake Watershed.
Penalties called, penalties not called, oh my.
The most perplexing to me occurred with 8:37 remaining in the game. Former Steeler speedster Mike Wallace sprinted down the left sideline as right cornerback Artie Burns floundered in coverage.
Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco蘑菇视频 throw landed in some photographer蘑菇视频 lap, 10 or so yards off the field of play. (I know the ball landed outside of the large white stripe that borders the field of play.)
Flags fly, pass interference on Burns. Now, when an individual waves a hand in a parallel movement across one蘑菇视频 head, that in football parlance means uncatchable/unplayable ball.
The boys would have none of it. They called pass interference, not holding nor illegal contact. Nope, they said pass interference and stuck to their guns.
Four plays later Javorius Allen scampers 鈥� untouched 鈥� into the end zone on a 9-yard run. Justin Tucker蘑菇视频 PAT made it 38-29 with 6:44 remaining.
But, then again, the Steelers stole one late in the first half and managed to steal a Chris Boswell field goal with a second to go.
Big Ben found Eli Rogers for a 16-yard completion on a third-and-15 (leaving Ravens fans wondering aloud how that can happen) with under 40 seconds remaining.
One of the gentlemen in the striped shirt positioned the ball as players from both sides scurried into legal position. Big Ben drills a pass into the ground to stop the clock with 27 seconds left.
Now, between the official placing the ball and Roethlisberger spiking it, center Maurkice Pouncey moved the ball forward one yard before snapping to Big Ben. That, folks, is an illegal snap, which carries a 5-yard penalty.
Mr. Coleman, who had more on air time than the Angelica Hale, a 10-year-old with a remarkable voice, singer of the National Anthem, snapped on his mike and let everyone who hadn鈥檛 bolted for a restroom, concession stand or someplace warm, of the transgression.
But, alas, the boys in stripes could do nothing about it. Unreviewable.
The boys in stripes have weekly job evaluations. I have a feeling that蘑菇视频 going to be one, quiet video room.
Kick back, stay warm and get ready for the game of the season. You know Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are!