Pittsburgh Steelers completed another fourth quarter comeback in the 20-16 victory against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football in Week 9. But the game might not have been so close if the Steelers hadn’t committed a season-high 10 penalties for 80 yards.
That was the message in a nutshell from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin following the contest. The 17-year head coach referenced the penalties in the opening statement of his postgame press conference on November 2.
“Really excited about the win. [But] obviously, it could have been cleaner,” Tomlin told reporters. “First and foremost from a penalty perspective, part of being a tough team to beat first is not kicking your own butt, and we’ve kind of been doing that some. We’ve got to own that.
“We will. We’ll review it, we’ll learn from it, we’ll look at it.”
Tomlin continued, as he explained how the Steelers will specifically address the team’s sudden penalty problem.
“We’ll bring some officials into our practice setting in an effort to be cleaner because that was catastrophic really in a lot of instances to our efforts tonight,” said Tomlin.
On defense alone, the Steelers had 6 accepted penalties for 50 yards in Week 9.
Steelers Win Despite Season-High 10 Penalties
Pittsburgh entered Week 9 with the third-fewest penalties in the NFL. The Steelers had just 36 accepted penalties in their first seven games combined.
But the Steelers had 10 penalties at home versus the Titans on November 2. Five of them were in the first quarter, including four on the defense’s first possession of the night.
Rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. made some nice plays in coverage throughout the night. But he also committed three accepted penalties. Two of them were on third or fourth downs and gave the Titans an automatic first down.
Veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson was also grabby with his hands, committing two illegal contact penalties.
On offense, rookie Broderick Jones made his first start at right tackle. He made some tremendous blocks down field, paving the way for the Steelers to post a season-high 166 rushing yards.
But Jones committed an illegal man downfield penalty on the first drive of the game. That wasn’t costly, as the Steelers scored their first opening drive touchdown of the season.
But Jones’ unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after a fourth-quarter extra point pushed the Steelers kickoff back 15 yards. As a result, the Titans began their next drive near midfield.
Fortunately, the defense stood tall, not allowing the Titans to gain a first down on that drive.
Ultimately, the Steelers overcame all of their penalties to win by four points. But committing 10 penalties is obviously not a recipe for success.
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Is Kirby Smart Leaving Georgia for Texas A&M?
Kirby Smart is unlikely to leave Georgia for Texas A&M, given his current coaching success, back-to-back National Championship victories, and a substantial 10-year contract.
Who is Kirby Smart?
Kirby Paul Smart, born on December 23, 1975, is an American football coach and former player. Currently serving as the head football coach for the Georgia Bulldogs, his alma mater, Smart has made a significant impact in the world of college football. Known for his coaching prowess, he led the Bulldogs to back-to-back National Championship victories in 2021 and 2022.
Before transitioning to coaching, Smart had a successful playing career, showcasing his dedication and love for the sport. With a strong coaching background and impressive achievements, Smart has become a respected figure in college football, recognized for his ability to transform teams into winners and his instrumental role in the success of the Georgia Bulldogs.
As of now, Kirby Smart is in the second year of a 10-year contract with the Georgia Bulldogs, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the United States. Beyond his financial compensation, Smart holds a position of power within the program, contributing to the team’s success and solidifying his reputation as a coaching force to be reckoned with.
Is Kirby Smart Leaving Georgia for Texas A&M?
There are speculations about whether Kirby Smart, the current head football coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, might leave for a coaching position at Texas A&M. The rumors stem from the recent firing of Texas A&M’s head coach, Jimbo Fisher, and the university’s apparent interest in securing a high-profile replacement.
While there is acknowledgment that Smart is a top-tier coach and Texas A&M has the financial means to make a significant coaching hire, it seems unlikely at this time due to Smart’s established success with the Georgia Bulldogs, including back-to-back National Championship victories in 2021 and 2022.
Smart is currently in the second year of a lucrative 10-year contract with Georgia, making his departure less plausible, especially as he continues to solidify his legacy as a successful and influential figure in college football.
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