Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to challenge a remarkable special teams effort by the Patriots was met with befuddlement and frustration Sunday.
Midway through the second quarter at Heinz Field, Pats punter Ryan Allen booted the ball inside the 15-yard line. After taking a big hop and bouncing inside the five-yard line, the ball seemed destined for a touchback when Jonathan Jones and Rex Burkhead teamed up to keep the ball from hitting the end zone. Linebacker Ramon Humber then downed the ball at Pittsburgh’s one-yard line.
Tomlin, however, challenged the ruling on the field, arguing that Burkhead’s toe was on the goal line when he batted the ball.