The Pittsburgh Steelers had one of the game’s biggest first-half swings wiped away when T.J. Watt nearly turned in a strip sack against the New Orleans Saints, only for the ruling to get reversed after an expedited review.
Watt worked past Saints lineman Taliese Fuaga with a spin move and got to Shough, then punched at the ball as the two came together. The football visibly shifted while the contact was still happening, and Shough’s knee also came down quickly as both players ended up on the grass. On the field, officials initially gave Pittsburgh the sack and fumble, with the Steelers recovering.
That didn’t hold up after review, though, and the ball was awarded back to the Saints. ESPN NFL rules analyst and former referee Russell Yurk said he was caught off guard by the reversal.
“I’m a little surprised they reversed that,” Yurk said.
ESPN analyst Jason Kelce had the same reaction, pointing to the lack of clear video evidence to change the call after it was made a fumble on the field.
“Especially with it being ruled a fumble on the field. Usually, it’s gotta take very convincing evidence that that ball is not out. Surprising,” Kelce said.
Pittsburgh also had another take-away opportunity go the wrong way when linebackers Patrick Queen and Cole Holcomb combined to force a fumble from running back Kendre Miller, only for the play to be overturned because Miller hit the ground first before extending the ball.
The Steelers finally got some turnover luck to swing their way in the second half, when Payton Wilson jumped a pass from Shough.
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