PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – How often is the play of the game made on an extra point. You could argue other plays or sequences, but Patrick Peterson’s blocked extra point with 4:21 to play in the second quarter changed the game.
It made the score 17-13 instead of 17-14 and it really impacted the end of the game. Instead of the Packers being able to play for a field goal in the final minute, they had to go for a touchdown. The game ended on the Steelers 16-yard line, that’s a 33-yard chip-shot attempt that would have sent the game to overtime.
That play from a 33-year-old veteran changed it.
“It was a huge play for us,” Peterson said. “I timed the snap just right. I was looking back, hoping there was no flag and there wasn’t. It was one of the plays that helped us win this ballgame.”
Mike Tomlin said Peterson had a reputation for doing that as a rookie. He said the Steelers played against Peterson his rookie year in Arizona and double-cadenced him and got him to jump offsides because they knew of that skill-set 13 years ago. Tomlin called him a dynamic player in that area.
“Anytime you can steal a point or two away from a team on special teams,” Peterson said. “You always think that it’s going to come down to that.”
It wasn’t the only impact play Peterson made. With 3:32 to play in the fourth quarter, Packers QB Jordan Love arched a pass in the end zone intended for Christian Watson. Peterson timed his jump and tipped the ball to Keanu Neal, who made the interception. Neal said Peterson intended to tip it to his teammate, just recognizing the play.
“I just love the spirit and wisdom that he brings, man,” Tomlin said. “He is always a calming voice, a steadying presence. He works really well with Joey (Porter). When I’m talking to the group and I’m looking around, he’s always giving you that knowing nod. It’s just good to have a veteran player that’s a quality human being like him because he is very much a component of raising some of the young ones that are contributing and contributing big.”
“Any chance I get to talk to Pat, I always do,” said Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. “That goes all the way back to the Spring. When I found out that he was going to be on our team. A vet that has seen a lot, has played a ton of ball, incredible IQ for the game and incredible player. I can’t say enough great things about Pat and the kind of leadership he brings to this team.”