CINCINNATI (93.7 The Fan) – It’s the time he didn’t challenge.
Former NFL official Gene Steratore believes Diontae Johnson got two feet down before he lost control of the ball out of the end zone and it should have been a first quarter touchdown against the Bengals. Steratore said in real speed it appears to be an incomplete pass, but replay proves it should have been called a touchdown.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did not challenge the call.
“In real speed, watch how fast Diontae Johnson possesses the ball and then loses control of it,” Steratore said in an ‘X’ post. “From an official's POV, this play appears to be an incomplete pass because the player almost immediately loses control of the ball.”
“However, when slowing the play down frame by frame, the perception of time becomes muddied. From the slow-motion replay, Diontae Johnson possesses the ball with 2 feet down in-bounds and still has control when he takes an additional step. Immediately after that step, the ball is loose.”
“With the way these plays are determined via replay, it probably would've been overturned to a touchdown.”
Jaylen Warren would fumble on the following play as the Steelers came away with no points on the drive.