The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) almost accomplished a Week 4 comeback towards the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) after being down 17-0 early within the second quarter.
The Steelers had been finally unsuccessful as they fell to the Colts 27-24, nevertheless it proved to be tough because of some premature penalties, most notably an unnecessary roughness call on security Minkah Fitzpatrick late within the fourth quarter.
The penalty gave Indianapolis a primary down, which led to it scoring in a one-possession sport. If Pittsburgh had been capable of get the cease, it might have had an opportunity to finish the comeback.
That is not how issues performed out, nevertheless, and Fitzpatrick was fuming after the loss.
“I assumed we had been taking part in soccer,” Fitzpatrick said, by way of Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Assessment. “I do not know what we taking part in at this level. Very totally different sport than what I grew up taking part in and what I grew up loving. Cannot hit no person onerous. Cannot be violent. So I do not know what to say anymore.”
Fitzpatrick wasn’t the one one feeling that manner, both. His teammate and fellow security DeShon Elliott got here to his protection after the sport, too.
“That was bull—-,” Elliott said, by way of 93.7 The Fan. “I do not care. That was B.S. That was not okay as a result of that was authorized. He did nothing malicious. He did not even hit him within the head. He led along with his shoulder. If something, he let up.”
Criticism for the refs did not cease within the Steelers’ locker room.
Coloration commentator Adam Archuleta disagreed with the decision as properly, noting Fitzpatrick did his greatest to cut back his blow to rookie large receiver Adonai Mitchell whereas operating at full velocity.
“To me, Fitzpatrick is pulling off,” Archuleta stated. “He would not go assault him and he would not hit him helmet to helmet with forceful contact. He is operating full velocity. He is operating 20 miles per hour.”
The refs could have made some questionable calls on Sunday, however Pittsburgh solely has itself accountable for being in that scenario.
The Steelers are the eighth-most penalized team within the league (28). They have to do their greatest to play cleaner soccer once they host the Dallas Cowboys (2-2) in Week 5 on “Sunday Evening Soccer.”
