Tomlin declines penalty

First of all I had no wager on this game.

Interesting situation on Cleveland’s final possession. 4th and 2 and Tomlin declined the 5 yard penalty. After he sees Cleveland line up to go for it, he calls the ref over and accepts the penalty.

First of all this should be completely illegal. Secondly, that decision could have lost him the game right there. If Cleveland goes for 4th and 2 and doesn’t get it, it’s likely game over. If they line up to kick it’s a 40+ yarder and 50/50 at best. Even if they kick and take a 2 point lead, Steelers still have plenty of time to go back down the field. Instead, 3rd and 7 and Cleveland ends up scoring the touchdown. Why in the world would you give the other team a 3rd down when they could be in 4th down? In that weather, two yards is a long way and the field goal is brutal (maybe even a bad snap). 

Is it just me or was that the dumbest decision of the whole game?

I already made a thread about this. 

@begginerboy

 You beat me to it. What a horrible decision. They had a chance to get a stop and end the game or kill clock and timeouts. Instead, well…

Definitely. Especially the way Winston plays, a 4th down play he might screw up, let him know he has 2 downs and he's looser and looks downfield. They weren't gonna try and run for 2 yards either even tho most teams would in the snow.

Thank god I didn’t bet these trash team lol

That was what we call a Tomlin special.

‘And more to come this season .

@brn2loslive2win

  100%

No Doubt, Tomlin blew that call.

Tomlin got outcoached most of the night.

& I am a big fan of his

Tomlin special.

I object - overruled. I strenuously object, oh in that case overruled. Is that how it works? That sequence reminded me of A Few Good Men...

WTF was that. 

Tomlin decides to decline the penalty, that should be the end of it. Cleveland reacts to Pitt declining the penalty and we move on. Not this time.

Oh wait, they're gonna go for it. I'll take the penalty. Prime time games come with such bs. How about the 2 missed penalties on 2pt conversions?

Clearly a hold on one, clearly a hit on receiver before ball arrived on the other. I guess they canceled each other out?

Here is what chat GPT said about the decision: 

Given the psychological dynamics, Team A is better off declining the penalty. Here’s why:

• 4th and 2 brings more immediate psychological pressure. Team B has to convert or lose. This all-or-nothing pressure can lead to mistakes, especially in difficult weather conditions.
• Even though 3rd and 7 is a harder play, having a backup on 4th down relieves some of that pressure, making it easier for Team B to remain focused and execute their plays.

So, while the physical yardage (4th and 2 vs 3rd and 7) may seem like the deciding factor, the psychological pressure of a 4th down makes declining the penalty the better choice for Team A. The stress of a do-or-die 4th down could cause Team B to falter, whereas with two opportunities, they have a better chance of staying composed and executing.

@Killer_B

 Insanity that the officials let him change his mind. Imagine if this was to happen regularly throughout the season? How much more foolish this league would look.

I'm still baffled at why this wasn't intentional grounding. Just because a lineman tries to catch it. Qb's should always throw it off lineman then instead of taking a sack.

I believe his arm got hit during the throwing motion which automatically eliminates the chance for intentional grounding penalties. That’s the way the announcers described it anyway.

@DonkeyPunch6446

 They said his arm got bumped or some bs. 

They could have called either and they went with the lesser penalty to keep the game exciting. When in doubt, entertainment wins out. But Tomlin outthought himself. His defense had just gotten to Winston, and he was clearly rattled. Then with the 3rd down, knowing he has a 4th in his pocket if he needs it, he relaxes and delivers. And this to say nothing of how much more intensity Tomlin’s own defense would have brought on that 4th down. Huge tactical mistake. 

its entirely possible Browns convert 4th and 2 as well. Score a TD.

FWIW, I am waiting for Herbstreit to bawl again on the air, for no good reason.

How about Steelers 3rd and 3 play possession before... 40 yard bomb play.......

We will never know but I bet Tomlin is regretting it. having watched sports for a thousand years I can assure you that giving a team two cracks at something instead of one is never a good idea, unless we are talking a ten yard penalty or something. Ironically enough, the Browns were 4 for 4 on 4th downs, but that  is when they were playing fast and loose. The only 3rd down they converted in the game was that one.