Game-Changing Play From Steelers' Loss Called Into Question As NFL May Have Made A Mistake

The Pittsburgh Steelers came into their Week 7 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals with the hopes of expanding their lead in the AFC North. The group got off to a good start as they got out to a 10-0 lead, but that quickly changed. The Steelers turned the ball over twice in the first half and faced a 17-10 halftime deficit. Pittsburgh clawed back in the second half and even took the lead with just over two minutes remaining in the game, but the Bengals were able to move the ball down the field with ease and kick the game-winning field goal with little time left on the clock.

There are a lot of instances to point to as to why the Steelers did not win this game, but Pittsburgh also did not deserve to win due to the way the defensive side of the ball played. Pittsburgh failed to take the ball away, and the secondary got gashed throughout the contest while the Bengals were able to run the ball with ease. However, there was a game-changing play at the end of the first half where DJ Turner wrestled the ball away from DK Metcalf for what was called an interception.

Turner was able to take the ball away from Metcalf on what was a back shoulder throw from Aaron Rodgers. It was called an interception on the field after some brief discussion amongst the officials, and the replay review then confirmed the call. This didn't stop Mike Florio from having questions about the scenario which he presented on Pro Football Talk.

"I don't think this is an interception," Florio said. "Here's what happens. While you're going to the ground, and this guy's going to the ground as he's making this interception as he's taking it from DK Metcalf. If you're going to the ground, you have to maintain possession of the ball through the ground. If you bobble it after you're on that white stripe, it's not a catch. The problem is, they never played it out so we could see the replay through whether or not he bobbled it. In real time, I saw the bobble."

Florio goes on to speak more about how you can see the ball starting to move at the end of the TV cut, but the broadcast doesn't show anymore. It seemed like there was certainly grounds to overturn the play in the moment, which was a very pivotal point in the game.

Rodgers was shown on the broadcast having some stern words with the officials during this moment after the call was made, and it seemed like he might have saw what Florio saw on the sideline. This play changed the entire game as the Bengals were able to gain possession of the ball with under a minute remaining in the first half and go down the field to kick a field goal.

Above, the ball is clearly seen moving, and this play could have been overturned. This was monumental considering Cincinnati only won the game by two points, and Pittsburgh could have gotten a field goal of their own on that final drive before halftime. This questionable call completely changed the outcome of the game, although the Steelers did not play well either.

Steelers Screwed By Officiating In Multiple Areas

The called interception was a big mistake in this loss for Pittsburgh, but there were also some crazy penalties called on the secondary. Joey Porter Jr. was called for defensive pass interference on a clean pass breakup over the middle of the field during the second quarter, while Jalen Ramsey was clearly shoved down during a touchdown to Ja'Marr Chase, yet a penalty was thrown on Ramsey. 

The officiating was clearly skewed, and it should make some wonder whether or not the NFL wants the Bengals to remain competitive so the world can see Joe Burrow return to the field when it's really time for meaningful football.

What did you think of the "interception?" Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation