Another edition of Thursday Night Football is in the books, and Week 9’s matchup saw the Pittsburgh Steelers pull out a 20-16 win over the Tennessee Titans to improve to 5-3 on the season.
Penalties were the big story of the night, as the game featured 17 accepted penalties. The Steelers were penalized 10 times for 80 yards, while the Titans were penalized seven times for 51 yards.
Two first-half roughing the passer penalties stood out, in particular. First, Steelers defensive end T.J. Watt was very unpleased with a call against him on Titans quarterback Will Levis in the first quarter.
T.J. Watt was very unhappy about being called for roughing the passer (taking down Titans rookie QB Will Levis). 🏈🦓 #TNF pic.twitter.com/F02NJSvn9I
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 3, 2023
Later in the half, an even more questionable roughing the passer was called for a hit by Jeffrey Simmons on Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett.
The latest roughing the passer penalty is against the Titans after taking down Steelers QB Kenny Pickett.
Jeffery Simmons could not believe the call. 🏈🦓👮♂️ https://t.co/boBjNO4X4M pic.twitter.com/fYK0HeK8Az
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 3, 2023
There was also a defensive holding call made on fourth down that would have ended things for the Steelers, before Will Levis’ interception would go on to do that.
"We've also seen that play a million times, too. It doesn't always get called. But, the game moves on."
Al Michaels on a defensive holding penalty that prolonged Tennessee's final drive.
The Steelers ended up overcoming the penalty with a goal-line interception. pic.twitter.com/K9QtgN7XW9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 3, 2023
NFL fans took to social media to voice their displeasure with these calls and more throughout the game.
Seahawks beat writer Gregg Bell took issue with the defensive hold saying, “The NFL’s addiction to calling illegal contact/defensive holding penalties in the secondary on key plays and throws that have no chance or are miles away really take away from the game.”
The NFL’s addiction to calling illegal contact/defensive holding penalties in the secondary on key plays and throws that have no chance or are miles away really take away from the game.
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) November 3, 2023
Former NFL lineman JJ Watt weighed in, saying, “Roughing the passer calls are out of control.”
Roughing the passer calls are out of control.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 3, 2023
ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe didn’t like the call on Simmons, saying, “I’m sorry, but that’s not roughing the passer.”
I’m sorry, but that’s not roughing the passer. #Titans #Steelers #ThursdayNightFootball
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) November 3, 2023
“Whenever I see John Hussey as the referee, I know we’re going to be there for a while,” one user said.
Whenever I see John Hussey as the referee, I know we’re going to be there for a while
— Al Quint 🎧✍️📸📚🇵🇸 (@SuburbanVoice) November 3, 2023
[Photo Credit: Amazon Prime Video]
