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Steelers Miss Playoffs Because of Controversial Penalty in Dolphins-Jets Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers fell on the wrong end of a controversial call in the Jets-Dolphins game.

Stephen Thompson

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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers were leading by two scores with under four minutes left to play against the Cleveland Browns. They needed a win and losses from the Dolphins and Patriots to earn a playoff berth. New England was trailing by double-digits late as well, but Miami was playing the Jets to a 6-6 stalemate. 

While the Browns were conducting their final, inconsequential drive, the Dolphins were mounting what would ultimately become the game-winning drive that knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs. During that drive, on a second and nine, Jets defensive lineman Quincy Willaims was flagged for a horse collar tackle on Jaylen Waddle, giving the Dolphins a fresh set of downs inside New York territory. 

Replays showed Williams did not reach into Waddle's pads - his hands slid off the back of Waddle's pads instead but officials stuck by the call and Miami went on to win 9-6. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper. He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press. During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general. 

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