Coming into Sunday, a lot of NFL folks were discussing a potential playoff scenario wherein the two-win Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts, opening the door for the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders to tie and both take the playoff spot away from them.
The first part, somehow, ended up happening. However, the part of the equation few accounted for was that the Pittsburgh Steelers could defeat the Baltimore Ravens and then replace the Colts in the scenario, which is exactly what happened.
Reminder: the Steelers had an 8% chance to make the playoffs entering today according to ESPN's FPI. They needed to beat the Ravens, the Jags to beat the Colts, and Raiders-Chargers not to end in a tie.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 10, 2022
And so, we went into Sunday Night Football’s contest between the Chargers and Raiders knowing that a tie was extremely unlikely, and both teams would not try to play for one, but the idea of it happening would be pretty wild.
And then, it almost happened.
Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels on the possibility of a Chargers-Raiders tie. pic.twitter.com/rJevhAC2AO
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 10, 2022
A furious fourth-quarter comeback by the Chargers sent the game into overtime, tied at 29 apiece. The Raiders kicked a field goal, which was matched by the Chargers. All of a sudden, the game was tied up once again with four minutes left in OT and America collectively excited itself over the possibilities.
America wants this. pic.twitter.com/0EcSab4rzv
— Sean Keeley (@SeanKeeleyIsMe) January 10, 2022
Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Following a very questionable timeout call by Chargers coach Brandon Staley, the Raiders drove the ball into field goal territory and ended things with a 47-yarder to win the game.
The Raiders and Steelers make the playoffs while the Chargers and Colts go home to wonder what could have been.
Considering how small the Steelers’ chances of making the playoffs were heading into the day, it ended up being a surprising stressful evening for them. And there were plenty of reactions to the wild game and wild finish from Steeler Nation on social media.
We're big fans of game-winning kicks
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 10, 2022
Goodnight Pittsburgh see you in the playoffs
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) January 10, 2022
I believe Steelers fans have run out of things to throw at their television sets.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 10, 2022
Two games two over times = 4 heart attacks, 1 playoff berth for the Steelers
— Zac Celedonia (@ZeFlashNFL) January 10, 2022
Pittsburgh is going to be a mess tomorrow. Someone is getting fired from a media job
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) January 10, 2022
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) January 10, 2022
For the ones that want a TIE don’t understand the competitor of players. You in it to win it
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) January 10, 2022
For all the “you’re gonna get killed” people. We don’t care. This was supposed to be “the worst year in the Tomlin era”. The browns and ravens were supposed to dominate the division, and even be super bowl contenders. So yeah, obviously we’re overly excited about this. #HereWeGo https://t.co/pk5PtzNr7R
— Isaac Viereck (@IsaacV_4) January 10, 2022
Here's the reaction from Anders Carlson of Daniel's game-winning field goal, per his Instagram.
Also, Auburn tight end and Steelers fan John Samuel Shenker with the look of relief at the end. pic.twitter.com/lfNCmvJsY2
— Jake Weese (@TheJakeWeese) January 10, 2022
Good… https://t.co/mI62EQ4bXb
— BTSC Steelers (@btsteelcurtain) January 10, 2022
The Steelers’ reward for making the playoffs? A trip to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the two-time defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. Big Ben gets at least one more game and everyone in the Greater Pittsburgh Area can now unclench their butts and enjoy the evening.