PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There were a few loose ends Mike Tomlin was asked about from the Eagles game from punting early in the fourth, to penalties, to why play TJ Watt late in the game.
Jumping right into Watt's injury, it happened on a second and 13 from the Steelers 42-yard line with 4:50 to play in the game and the Steelers had all three time outs. Tomlin asked by Associated Press reporter Will Graves if he and the coaches thought about taking out some key guys at that point?
"No," Tomlin said.
"Why not?"
"Because we play and play to win," Tomlin said.
Tomlin is optimistic Watt will play Saturday in Baltimore.
Penalties
There were a couple of calls that impacted the game on Sunday. First, the unsportsmanlike penalties on both Darnell Washington and Calvin Austin after the Steelers had it second and three at the Eagles four-yard line. A scrum developed after Washington pushed Eagles DB Darius Slay to the back of the end zone and there was some physicality. Several angles showed Washington and Slay exchanging punches and then others got involved, including Austin who threw at least a punch. The ruling was no Eagles contributed to the punches thrown, so reporters requested a reporter to interview the lead ref after the game.
"Two Steelers were observed committing unsportsmanlike conduct after the play was over," said referee Alan Eck in a pool report. "No punches were observed on the field (by Philly). Since we had flags down, it gave New York an opportunity to review the play as well. There was no video evidence of punches observed by the Philadelphia Eagles."
"I didn't read the pool report because I saw it as it happened and I hadn't had a chance to talk to New York because I've been so focused on what's going on with Baltimore in the present day," Tomlin said Tuesday.
Tomlin also said he was not satisfied with the refs penalizing the Eagles on the return when Jalen Carter slapped the head of Steelers special teamer Connor Heyward as a punt was starting. Originally the Steelers were going to get the ball back with a first down at the Eagles 31-yard-line with 10:40 to play in the fourth quarter. Instead, after a quick review, it was ruled that play happened on the return so it was Philadelphia's ball.
There was also a holding call on Dan Moore and a tripping on Zach Frazier that were potentially questionable. Steelers had five penalties for 60 yards, Philadelphia had seven for 54 yards.
"I just believe when you play well, those things get minimized and when you play poorly, those things get highlighted," Tomlin said. "Those things happen week-in and week-out, when you are playing well it doesn't become a talking point."
4th down
There was 11:15 to play in the fourth quarter with the Steelers trailing by a pair of touchdowns. A pass to Mike Williams gained 15 yards on a third and 22 play, Tomlin said of why they didn't go for it on the Philadelphia 46-yard line.
"It was the distance," Tomlin said Tuesday. "If it had been inside, maybe a fourth and five, I would have probably definitely gone for it."
Tomlin said a fourth and seven would have required max protection (fewer receivers available) where he said a fourth and five generally does not. Tomlin also said they had three timeouts and he took a chance and thought they might be able to stop them. Even looking back, he's comfortable with that decision.
2x 100-yards
Steelers gave up a pair of 100-yard receivers (AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith) on Sunday, Tomlin chalked that up to having a commitment to limiting NFL leading rusher Saquon Barkley and they lost some critical third downs that were very winnable.
"They produce subsequent downs," Tomlin said of missed third down stops. "Those subsequent downs produce yards and potentially points."
