When the Steelers edged out the Lions 29-24 on Sunday, it wasn’t just the final score that had people talking - it was how the game ended. And one of the NFL’s most respected former players, J.J. Watt, didn’t hold back in voicing his confusion over the chaotic final moments.
Now working as a CBS analyst after wrapping up a Hall of Fame-worthy 12-year career in 2022, Watt took to social media shortly after Pittsburgh secured its third straight win to share his thoughts. His reaction?
“Not a very satisfying way for a football game to end. Just strange,” he posted.
That comment sparked plenty of fan responses, with one asking Watt to elaborate. And he did - clarifying that he wasn’t questioning the call itself, but rather the way it all unfolded.
“Just the amount of time taken to figure it all out, the uncertainty during the wait, then the game ending with the official saying ‘game over’ instead of plays on the field,” Watt tweeted. “Didn’t say it wasn’t right. Just strange.”
Let’s break down what he’s talking about.
On the Lions’ final snap from the 1-yard line, quarterback Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown, who then pitched the ball back to Goff.
Goff took it into the end zone for what initially appeared to be a stunning, walk-off touchdown. But the celebration didn’t last long.
Officials threw a flag on the play - offensive pass interference on St. Brown - which nullified the score and, because time had expired, ended the game right then and there.
No final snap. No final stand. Just a flag, a conference among officials, and then - game over.
It’s the kind of ending that leaves fans, players, and analysts alike scratching their heads. Not because the call was wrong - Watt made it clear he wasn’t disputing that - but because of the anticlimactic way it played out. In a game filled with momentum swings and playoff implications, to have it end not with a play, but with a referee’s announcement, felt abrupt.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers summed it up in one word: “Chaos.” And that’s not an exaggeration.
Rodgers had a solid outing, going 27-for-41 for 266 yards and a touchdown. Pittsburgh’s offense was rolling, outgaining Detroit 481-361, including a dominant 230 yards on the ground compared to just 15 from the Lions.
For Detroit, the loss was more than just a frustrating finish - it was a blow to their playoff hopes. Now sitting at 8-7 with two weeks to go, the Lions are fighting for their postseason lives. And while the final play didn’t go their way, it’s the kind of ending that will sting even more because of how unclear and disjointed it felt in real time.
Watt’s reaction speaks to a broader sentiment among players and fans: in a game built on physicality, precision, and drama, there’s nothing more deflating than confusion at the final whistle.