Steelers News: Mike Tomlin’s overtime decision to not take the ball worked, but was it smart?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving into Week 6 of the NFL regular season, and as the team prepares for the Los Angeles Chargers we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the next game starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at whether the decision by Mike Tomlin to defer the football in overtime may have worked, by theory, but was it smart?

Let’s get to the news:

• It almost looked as if Cameron Heyward said the Steelers wanted the football in overtime, but after the official turned off his mic he made it clear that Heyward said the wanted to kick the ball away. But was it a smart move by Mike Tomlin?

Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s OT call in Steelers loss was logical but lacked common sense

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Mike Tomlin’s decision to kick off to begin overtime against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday made perfect sense.

If you are willing to ignore common sense.

Which I am not.

In case you missed what happened, the Steelers won the coin flip to start overtime, tied with their AFC North rivals at 23-23.

Tomlin shunned the usual practice of receiving the ball. Under NFL overtime rules, if the receiving team scores a touchdown, the game is over. If the receiving team kicks a field goal, punts or commits a turnover, the other team gets a possession. If the score remains tied after that possession, then play continues until a score of any kind takes place.

If no score takes place, it’s a tie.

So, logic would dictate, receive the ball. Give yourself a chance to score a touchdown without allowing the other team a possession. Don’t risk losing without getting a touch.

It’s the right decision. Every time.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Earl Thomas will likely be facing a fine, but no suspension, for his high hit on Mason Rudolph in Week 5.

Earl Thomas faces fine, but likely no suspension, for hit on Steelers QB Mason Rudolph

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The flag was thrown late — about four minutes after the fact — following Earl Thomas’ hit that knocked Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph from the game Sunday at Heinz Field.

Thomas was penalized 15 yards for roughing the passer after the Baltimore Ravens safety’s helmet connected with Rudolph’s chin midway through the third quarter of the Steelers’ 26-23 overtime loss.

Will NFL justice also be slow in forthcoming?

Thomas undoubtedly will be fined for the shot that sent Rudolph to the hospital for observation. The NFL typically releases fines on Saturday, but some higher-profile punishments become public much sooner.

Thomas also could be suspended for the hit, although he doesn’t have the track record of a serial violator such as Vontaze Burfict. An NFL Network report Monday indicated that Thomas will not be suspended.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• If Mason Rudolph can’t play on Sunday in Los Angeles, expect Paxton Lynch to be promoted from the practice squad to back up Devlin Hodges.

Paxton Lynch likely to serve as Devlin Hodges’ backup in Pittsburgh

By: Michael David Smith, ProFootballTalk

The Steelers are down to their third-string quarterback, and their fourth-string quarterback will soon get a promotion.

After Mason Rudolph‘s concussion on Sunday, and with Ben Roethlisberger already out for the season, Devlin Hodges is likely to start this week and Paxton Lynch is likely to be promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster as Hodges’ backup, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.

Hodges played well under the circumstances after Rudolph went down: He completed seven of nine passes for 68 yards and didn’t have a turnover or take a sack. He’s an undrafted rookie, so the Steelers obviously weren’t planning on having him start this year, but when you’d down to your third-string quarterback, beggars can’t be choosers.

Lynch is a former first-round pick of the Broncos who started four games in Denver and didn’t play well. He hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game since 2017. The Steelers actually have two quarterbacks on their practice squad, Lynch and Taryn Christion, but Lynch’s experience makes him the likely pick to get called up to the active roster.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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