Were Steelers really robbed on overtuned TD vs Patriots?
With only two weeks left in the regular season, it’s difficult for many in the NFL to avoid a sense of panic.
But having the stakes raised as the playoff picture takes shape shouldn’t lead to wild conclusions about the latest round of games.
Here are four overreactions we’re pushing back on after Week 15:
The Steelers got robbed
In the postgame locker room, the Steelers were stunned, wondering how officials overturned a would-be touchdown by tight end Jesse James that almost certainly would’ve won the game.
Instead, the rival Patriots won 27-24 and seized control of the AFC.
Steelers fans may want to take a deep breath before reading, but it was the right call.
Based on the way the catch rule is written, officials – with the help of vice president of officiating Al Riveron in the New York league office – judged that the ball had moved once it hit the ground when James extended his arms to cross the goal line.
Both referee Tony Corrente (in a pool report) and Riveron (in a video explanation) said James did not “survive the ground.”
Upon close examination, it’s clear that the ball jostled loose when it hit the turf before James regained possession.
Many fans find this to be the most frustrating and illogical rule in football, and it should be tweaked or clarified. But that’s for the competition committee to debate in the offseason.
The Packers rushed Rodgers back too soon
A 31-24 setback against the Panthers might have sunk Green Bay’s postseason dreams as quarterback Aaron Rodgers made his return from a broken collarbone.
Rodgers proved, however, that getting their franchise QB back on the field was the Packers’ best play.
Rodgers completed 26 of 45 throws for 290 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. It marked his first three-interception game since 2009. But each of the picks against the Panthers came when Green Bay struggled to pick up Carolina’s blitz.
Certainly, Rodgers deserves some blame. He wasn’t as accurate as he needed to be and tried to force some throws.
The reality was that Green Bay needed a big swing to reach the playoffs. And though Brett Hundley was admirable in Rodgers’ absence with a 3-4 record, the Packers are simply far more dangerous with No. 12 behind center.
Despite the turnovers, Green Bay actually had a chance to tie the game late thanks in large part to Rodgers. But a fumble by receiver Geronimo Allison inside two minutes doomed the Packers comeback bid, and likely their playoff hopes as well.
The Eagles still could be in trouble with Foles
The 34-29 score from the matchup against the cellar-dwelling Giants indicates a challenge for the Eagles, which the team certainly faced.
But even though backup quarterback Nick Foles started his first game in relief of Carson Wentz (torn anterior cruciate ligament), it wasn’t Philadelphia’s offense that took a step back.
Foles completed 24 of 38 for 237 yards and four touchdowns. He managed the game, avoided making mistakes and put the ball in the hands of his playmakers, completing passes to seven different players. In fact, Foles distributed each of his scores to different targets.
The problem for the Eagles was a defensive line that had entered the game with a reputation of consistently generating pressure despite often rushing just four players.
The Eagles didn’t generate enough pressure, sacking Eli Manning only once and hitting him three times. The defense allowed Manning to throw for 434 yards and three touchdowns with just one interception.
The Giants actually raced out to a 20-7 lead, and it was Foles who slowly orchestrated drives to chip away at the deficit and eventually secure the victory. Maybe the Eagles will be just fine with him leading the charge.
Jadeveon Clowney is right: Blake Bortles is “trash”
The Texans pass rusher raised eyebrows when, after the Jaguars throttled Houston 45-7, Clowney gave a succinct opinion of Jacksonville’s quarterback: “He’s trash.”
Bortles certainly isn’t without flaws. He’s still likely somewhere in the middle- to lower-tier of starting quarterbacks in the NFL.
But in his last three games (all victories, against the Colts, Seahawks, and Texans), Bortles has thrived. He has completed 71.4% of his passes for 903 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions.
With injuries sidelining Jacksonville’s top three receivers, Bortles helped rookie receivers Jaydon Mickens and Keelan Cole shine against Houston. The Jaguars were without star running back Leonard Fournette, who was inactive with a quadriceps injury.
Keeping the offense afloat when key contributors go down is a sign of a good – or at least ascending – QB.
Much of Bortles’ improvement stems from the Jaguars boasting the NFL’s No. 1 rushing offense and top-ranked defense, removing pressure from the quarterback. Given his recent play, Bortles shouldn’t be derided as “trash” for fulfilling his role as a complementary piece to its strongest units.
After all, using that formula, Jacksonville clinched its first playoff berth since 2007. Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks after Week 15’s games
AFC
1. y-New England Patriots (11-3): AFC East champion. They escaped Pittsburgh with their 15th division title in 17 seasons and a clear path to home-field advantage.
2. y-Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3): AFC North champion. After a gut-wrenching loss, they’re now facing the likelihood of once again having to go through Foxborough to reach the Super Bowl.
3. x-Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4): AFC South leader. They’re playoff-bound for the first time since 2007 and still have a reasonable shot at a first-round bye.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-6): AFC West leader. Not only did Saturday’s win over the Chargers give KC vital breathing room, but the Chiefs’ schedule now gets quite favorable as they finish against the Dolphins and Broncos. They need win only one of those games to put a bow on the division.
5. Tennessee Titans (8-6): Wild card No. 1. They’re doing their best to drop out of the field. But a 7-4 conference record keeps them ahead of Buffalo and Baltimore. However next week’s date with the Rams looks like major trouble.
6. Buffalo Bills (8-6): Wild card No. 2. They’re desperately trying to snap the longest playoff drought in major North American professional team sports (it dates to 1999). The strength of victory tiebreaker keeps Buffalo ahead of the Ravens, who are being undermined by their defeats of the winless Browns.
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-6), Los Angeles Chargers (7-7), Miami Dolphins (6-8), Oakland Raiders (6-8)
NFC
1. yz-Philadelphia Eagles (12-2): NFC East champion. Life after Carson Wentz had a hairy beginning, but the Iggles survived the Giants to ensure themselves at least a first-round bye.
2. y-Minnesota Vikings (11-3): NFC North champion. Newly crowned division champions still have shot at home-field advantage... and a shot to play Super Bowl on home field.
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-4): NFC West leader. They gave the Seahawks a shocking beating at Century Link Field that likely means LA is headed to postseason while Seattle probably isn’t. 4. New Orleans Saints (10-4): NFC South leader. Surprisingly struggled against punchless Jets, but managed to retain division lead.
5. Carolina Panthers (10-4): Wild card No. 1. Technically tied for first place but getting swept by Saints keeps Panthers on wild-card path.
6. Atlanta Falcons (9-5): Wild card No. 2. They’ve beaten the Seahawks, Lions and Cowboys, so Atlanta enjoys a one-game lead but owns key tiebreaker over pursuers. Monday night’s win in Tampa officially ended Packers’ playoff hopes.
In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (8-6), Detroit Lions (8-6), Dallas Cowboys (8-6) x-clinched playoff berth y-clinched division z-clinched first-round bye