Following the Lions vs. Cowboys game in Week 17, NFL ref Brad Allen and his officiating crew were the talk of the league. After it looked like the Lions won a game on a two-point conversion pass to OT Taylor Lewan, the call was reversed as the officials tagged the wrong man for being eligible.
We learned early this week that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be getting Allen's crew for their final game of the season on the road against the Baltimore Ravens. Because of what transpired last week in the Lions-Cowboys game, fans joked all week long about what controversial call might take place against the Steelers in Week 18.
It didn't take long for this to show up. Two minutes after the Steelers punted the ball away to the Ravens (and ESPN took a commercial break, Brad Allen made Pittsburgh punt again -- noting that they had 12 men on the field.
Steelers were called just now for having 12 players out for the punt. It wasn't called until two minutes after the play had ended. They'll have to punt again.
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) January 6, 2024
Where was this call when the play happened? Not often do you see a team go back and re-punt after such a lengthy delay? We aren't saying that Allen's crew got the call wrong, but it was too late after the fact that it should not have been reversed.
This call happened just one-fourth of the way through the game, and it makes us wonder what else could be in store. ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported early in the week that Brad Allen's officiating crew was being disciplined by the league following their Week 17 fiasco, and that they would not be able to officiate a game in the playoffs this year.
If that's the case, why put him on the call for what is essentially a playoff game today for the Pittsburgh Steelers? Mike Tomlin's team needs a win as well as some outside help to get into the playoffs.
With how bad the weather conditions are today, the Steelers need everything to go right. A few more calls like this might just drive the final nail into their 2023 season.