Steelers coach Danny Smith goes off on officials after controversial flag, Terry McAulay disputes ruling

A controversial call wiped out a spectacular play by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football against the New York Jets.

After New York scored a touchdown, they went to kick the extra point attempt. Only Pittsburgh defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick broke through the line and got to the kick, blocking it easily.

A flag flew, with officials ruling that Fitzpatrick had illegally used his hands to create leverage off a blocker.

NBC’s rules expert, former referee Terry McAulay, disagreed with the call.

“We’ve talked with the league about it and they want to see a clear push-off,” McAulay said. “They want to see some force, where he’s using those hands to assist him to get through. And he does touch his teammate, and that would apply as well, to the teammate as well.

“But again it’s just a touch on both players, glancing. This shouldn’t have been a foul.”

You can view the Steelers special teams play for yourself below.

Blocked XP that was penalized #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/VGkkZ5toAl

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 21, 2024

Following the ruling, Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith could be seen vehemently pleading his case with the officials. But the ruling stood and the Jets were given the chance to advance the ball to the 1-yard line. They did so.

On the ensuing extra-point attempt, New York converted, making it a two-possession game at 15-6. So, needless to say, the call was quite an important one in the contest and will bear scrutiny if the game goes down to the wire.

Pittsburgh didn’t seem all that worse for the wear, managing to score on its next possession following the controversial call. The Steelers trailed 15-13 at halftime.