By: Jonathan Clark
SteelerNation.com
As you all know by now, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday 28-24, taking sole leadership of the AFC North by two games and still remain as the only team in the NFL that has an undefeated record. The Steelers are right where they want to be, they control their own destiny heading into the second half of the season.
While the main focus should and will be on the big win, there were many questionable calls that went both ways throughout this game. One that rubbed a lot of people the wrong way was a hit delivered by Cam Heyward on Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. Jackson was scrambling out of the pocket, seemingly trying to get any extra yardage that he could. Being forced to the sideline by Minkah Fitzpatrick and Stephon Tuitt, Jackson juked Tuitt forcing him to miss the tackle. Fitzpatrick was there shortly after to wrap up the tackle, but Jackson was still in bounds. Chasing Jackson throughout the play, Heyward made a clean tackle on the Ravens QB close to the Baltimore sideline, forcing Jackson out of bounds.
Although it was clean to the viewer's eye, the referees on the field decided that the hit Heyward delivered was deserving of a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty that gave the Ravens a free 15 yards and great field position. You can see the play featured below.
If he’s given the chance to go out of bounds and doesn’t take it, what am I suppose to do? I made contact while he was in bounds. Mind boggling
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) November 2, 2020
Here is also of picture of the CBS broadcast paused on the moment Heyward made contact with Jackson. You can clearly see Jackson is still in bounds and is always a threat to gain extra yards.
I was glad to see a member of the NFL media take the time to show that the play Heyward made on Sunday was not dirty, also bringing to light the fact that when the QB is running out of the pocket, he is not protected like a QB at that particular time. He is considered a runner, and anytime you have the opportunity to bring down a runner as fast as Lamar Jackson, you take that opportunity. Not like anyone was asking for an answer from him, but I was also glad that this gave Heyward the chance to defend himself. Not because he needed to, but because no one wants the reputation of being a dirty player, especially a player of Cam Heyward's caliber.
What are your thoughts on the hit, Steeler Nation? Comment below!
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