The Pittsburgh Steelers first offensive drive ended with a fumble by running back Najee Harris at the goal line. But it didn’t need to be that way. A missed opportunity by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to challenge Harris’ first and goal carry cost the team an easy touchdown.
Pittsburgh had the ball at the two-yard line on first down and Harris took the handoff and surged into the end zone. The officials didn’t see it that way but a quick look at the replay showed pretty obviously his knee never touched. Instead of challenging, Tomlin went fast and tried a sneak with quarterback Kenny Pickett that failed.
On third down, Harris got the call again but coughed it up on his leap over the pile. All of the broadcast team was in agreement that Harris got in on first down and that it was a mistake not to challenge. In a game this close, a misstep like this is one Tomlin could regret.
The refs called Najee Harris down on this play, but the #Steelers never challenged. Harris fumbled 2 plays later. Brutal pic.twitter.com/vTTScizm5h
— NFL Unlimited (@NFLUnlimited) January 8, 2023
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin misses on challenge opportunity
