Per week in the past, Mike Tomlin was criticized for punting on 4th and seven. This time, he’s on the opposite aspect of the criticism for going for it on 4th and 6. Following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 34-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Wealthy Eisen puzzled why Tomlin pushed the envelope down one-score late with quarter-hour to play.
“The Steelers down by seven beginning the fourth quarter simply barely on the plus aspect of the sector,” Eisen mentioned reacting to the sport through his YouTube channel. “A fourth and 6. And Mike Tomlin determined to go for it. That one, I didn’t get. I didn’t perceive that one. I believed they’d punt, play protection. As a result of the protection was holding its personal in opposition to Lamar.”
Trailing 24-17, Pittsburgh confronted 4th and 6 on the Baltimore 45. Having the third-to-fourth quarter break to speak it over, Tomlin made the aggressive transfer to place his offense on the sector. It got here with an aggressive play-call. A deep shot to WR Calvin Austin III that fell incomplete, swatted away by S Kyle Hamilton close to the aim line.
Given what Russell Wilson had obtainable on the play, Austin was his most suitable choice. However Pittsburgh was taking part in for the house run ball, not the sticks, Tomlin telling reporters post-game that was the look and intent of the decision.
Turning it over on downs, RB Derrick Henry instantly busted off a 44-yard run on the primary play of the Ravens’ ensuing drive. It accounted for greater than one-quarter of his 162-yard efficiency, essentially the most ever by a Baltimore again in opposition to Pittsburgh and fifth-most in opposition to a Tomlin-coached staff.
Happily, the Steelers bought the ball proper again the subsequent play. FS Minkah Fitzpatrick picked off his first cross in practically two full calendar years, returning it 25-yards the opposite approach to stop the Ravens from going up a number of scores. The glory was short-lived. QB Russell Wilson was pick-sixed by CB Marlon Humphrey performs later, successfully icing the sport.
Finally, Tomlin’s determination didn’t show as pricey as his option to punt in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles, by no means getting the ball again over the ultimate 10:30. That hindsight from every week in the past probably influenced his determination to be aggressive, hoping to keep away from the identical mistake twice. However the circumstances have been completely different, a one-score sport versus a two-score deficit, with extra time on the clock and the Steelers’ protection wanting higher in opposition to the Ravens than Eagles. Come playoffs, Tomlin must make higher fourth down selections to win a probably tight sport.
