Gene Steratore admits Joe Haden was not offsides on blocked field goal

The Pittsburgh Steelers faced an uphill battle when they played the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 at Lambeau Field. What was known was all that would have to go right for the Steelers to pull off the upset, but what wasn’t known was how they would have to battle the officials in what would be a game-changing penalty thrown.

At the end of the first half, Mason Crosby was called on to attempt a field goal. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joe Haden looked to time the snap perfectly, and Fitzpatrick blocked the punt, picked it up off the bounce and ran it back for what would have been a touchdown.

Then fans saw the yellow flag on the turf.

You knew what the call was before the announcer even said it.

Offsides on No. 23 (Haden). Re-try the kick.

Crosby went on to make the kick, which turned into a 10-point swing, in favor of the Packers.

As the game went to halftime, social media was abuzz with whether Haden and Fitzpatrick were indeed offsides. Shortly after the second half began, former NFL official and CBS analyst Gene Steratore took to Twitter with video footage to show that unless Haden and Fitzpatrick were lined up offsides, which doesn’t seem to be the case, the officials missed this call.

See what Steratore had to say:

The Steelers’ offensive struggles are well-known, and to win games like vs. the Packers on the road they would need a splash play from the defense or special teams. Similar to the lift they got in Week 1 when Miles Killebrew’s blocked punt equated in a Ulysees Gilbert scoop-and-score.

There were many plays in this game, but when the final score reads 27-17, and you realize how that play would have completely changed the game, fans are wondering what would have been.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field in Week 5.