The Pittsburgh Steelers held on to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 24-21 in Dublin, Ireland during their Week 4 matchup. But Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin still received criticism over his late-game decisions in the contest.
CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr argued the Steelers’ win wasn’t “in spite of Mike Tomlin.” However, Kerr was still one of Tomlin’s biggest critics after Week 4.
“What Tomlin did on fourth-and-1 with 1:08 left in a 24-21 game is indefensible, taking a delay of game penalty to punt instead of running a play on the Vikings‘ 40-yard line — a play in which a first down would have won the game,” Kerr wrote. “The conservative decision did work, but these are the decisions Tomlin makes that are head-scratching.”
Kerr complimented Tomlin for his game preparation. But in conclusion, Kerr called Tomlin’s game management “questionable.”
During the game, NFL Network’s Greg Olsen also strongly disagreed with Tomlin’s choice to punt on fourth-and-1.
“It’s a no-brainer,” Olsen said on the broadcast. “You get half a yard, and the Minnesota Vikings never possess the ball ever again.”
Mike Tomlin Receiving Heat for Fourth Down Decision
As the CBS writer explained, the Steelers had the choice to go for fourth-and-1 at the Vikings 40-yard line. With a little more than a minute left in regulation, the Steelers led 24-21.
Instead, they punted to trust their defense to keep Minnesota out of field goal range to secure the win.
While the decision worked, there are still a few different reasons to be upset with the decision to punt.
NFL teams have to strongly consider going for any fourth-and-1 from the opponent’s 40-yard line because the gain in field position with a punt is likely minimal. The opportunity to keep the ball is more valuable, especially with a minute left.
Had Steelers punter Corliss Waitman pinned the Vikings inside the 10-yard line, then Tomlin’s decision to punt, while likely still indefensible to some, would have at least looked a little better. But Waitman inexplicably punted the ball through the end zone for a touchback.
The Steelers gained 20 yards of field position but lost the ball.
The other head scratcher in Tomlin’s late fourth-down decision was his willingness to go on fourth down the previous series.
On fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, the Steelers called a running play for Kenneth Gainwell. The Vikings stopped him at the goal line for a 2-yard gain.
There’s less risk going on fourth down inside the 5-yard line because the opponent is going to face a long field to score a touchdown. When Tomlin chose to punt, the Vikings also only needed a field goal to tie.
But if Tomlin had confidence that Gainwell could gain three yards to score a touchdown in a goal line situation, it doesn’t make a lot of sense that he didn’t trust Gainwell to get a yard on fourth down during the next drive.
Aaron Rodgers’ Impact on Steelers’ Week 4 Fourth Down Calls
Tomlin didn’t receive any questions about the decision to punt in his postgame press conference. But Tomlin did receive a question about the fourth-and-goal situation.
On the broadcast, it appeared that Tomlin actually wanted to kick a field goal, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers encouraged the team to go on fourth down.
Tomlin addressed Rodgers’ impact on the goal-line decision.
“I love his competitive spirit. I love to support it. I like a guy that plays and plays to win,” Tomlin said. “So, he’s an asset to us in that way certainly. Regardless of the outcome of the play.
“Certainly it didn’t unfold the way we would like, but we’re prepared to die with our boots on and pursue victory and not live in our fears.”
Kerr would likely disagree with that claim. Playing to win late in the fourth quarter would have been going on fourth-and-1.
The Steelers still won, but with a conservative mindset.