In a surprising admission, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin candidly revealed his unawareness of a crucial NFL rule regarding replay assist during his team’s MNF showdown against the New York Giants. This confession, made in the aftermath of the Steelers’ 26-18 victory, not only underscores the intricacies of the league’s rulebook but also invites fans to consider how even the most seasoned coaches can overlook critical regulations in high-stakes situations.

“I didn’t know that they used replay assist, so I wasn’t really clear on why it was ruled a non-touchdown. Hell, if I knew they used replay assist, obviously I wouldn’t have thrown the flag because you’re not allowed to challenge when they use replay assist.” Tomlin admitted candidly in his post-game press conference.

With a 6-2 record, the Steelers are climbing their way to the top of the AFC North. Tomlin’s oversight has pushed the coach’s role into unchartered waters, causing even the most strategic sideline strategian, such as him, to be careful. The play in question is a highlight-reel catch by Steelers receiver George Pickens, who caught what appeared to be a 9-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

But officials ruled after further review that Pickens had failed to get both his feet down before falling out of bounds, canceling out this score. Steelers fans, as well as former NFL star J.J. Watt, were left scratching their heads. “Does one foot twice not count as two feet?” Watt mused on social media, reflecting the puzzlement felt by many observers.

Earlier in the game, the Steelers had another potential touchdown taken off the board due to a face mask penalty on tackle Broderick Jones. Meanwhile, the Giants saw a touchdown by tight end Chris Manhertz nullified by an illegal shift penalty that ESPN’s rules analyst Russell Yurk described as “technically the correct call, but the type of infraction that is rarely flagged.”

Steelers navigate murky waters but with grace

The controversy surrounding Pickens’ near-touchdown catch is just the latest example of how the NFL’s rulebook can trip up even the most seasoned professionals. While the officials’ ruling was technically correct, it highlighted the league’s strict interpretation of the “both feet” requirement for a completed catch – a nuance that has long been a point of contention among fans and players alike.

T.J. Watt showed why he’s such a beast out there, rolling with all these new rules and still making huge plays. He straight up robbed Daniel Jones in the fourth – just ripped that ball right out of his hands! Talk about perfect timing, especially since the offense was having a rough day.

Things finally started clicking in the second half, though. Calvin Austin III went off, taking a punt to the house for 73 yards and then snagging another TD on a 29-yard catch. The Steelers were sitting pretty with a 14-point lead, but the Giants weren’t done yet. Tyrone Tracy busted loose for a crazy 45-yard touchdown run to make it 23-15.

The Steelers almost blew it by not putting the game away earlier – the Giants were knocking on the door in the final minutes. But guess who saved the day? Yep, T.J. Watt again! Dude stripped the ball from Wilson and shut down any chance of a Giants comeback.

You know what’s funny? Tomlin basically admitted that these days, it’s not just about drawing up plays anymore. Everyone – coaches, players, refs – they’ve all got to keep up with this crazy rulebook that keeps changing. And, that’s getting harder every season!