PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It wasn’t as much that the Steelers feel like they were out of line with the unsportsmanlike penalties against the Rams, rather Mike Tomlin explained they didn’t read the room on Sunday.
“Oftentimes it’s our job to feel the tenor of a crew and adjust our behavior accordingly,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “We got into that game and that crew had a certain tenor and we didn’t adjust to it.”
Both of his receivers picked up penalties for taunting in Los Angeles. George Pickens as the game was tied in the fourth quarter, he said too much after an 18-yard gain which took away all but three of the yards. Najee Harris would end up scoring a touchdown on the drive.
Diontae Johnson called for taunting with 3:03 to play in the game and the Steelers holding onto a seven-point lead. The chat with former teammate Ahkello Witherspoon wiped out a pass interference call against Witherspoon that would have given the Steelers a first down. Kenny Pickett was marked to get a first down two plays later and they still sealed the game.
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Tomlin saying it’s not a Steelers player issue, more of knowing what the officials will let you get away with.
“Am I worried about those issues being an issue going forward, no I am not,” Tomlin said.
The Steelers head coach compared this situation to when TJ Watt was lined up offsides on what ended up being a third down stop. The Rams would continue that drive which ended with a touchdown to take a 17-10 lead. Tomlin said a lot of crews will warn you that someone is lined up in the neutral zone or cutting it close. He said the same thing for offensive and defensive holding and pass interferences, each crew calls it a little different.
“I didn’t do a good enough job as a leader making sure we adjusted,” Tomlin explained. “That’s why some of the penalties were as they were.”
He said they will use that as a lesson and reiterated it’s better to learn those issues after a win.
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