Mike Tomlin was so upset with the officiating decision to stop the clock at the end of regulation to review a catch/no-catch situation with time expiring that he called it "embarrassing" in his post-game interview moments after the Steelers defeated the Seahawks, 23-20, in overtime at Heinz Field Sunday.
Tomlin, a member of the league's competition committee, was still unhappy with that move, which stopped the clock and allowed the Seahawks to line up and spike the ball with 3 seconds remaining, that he contacted the NFL offices in New York Monday about what happened.
“The game was stopped by the replay guy to find confirmation of a component of the play on the field,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “I didn’t agree with that in the most significant moment, and I expressed that. I had some conversations with New York regarding it. I got an explanation. I wouldn’t necessarily say I got clarity, but I’m not going to discuss it any further."
Officials stopped the game after the Seahawks had lined up following a DK Metcalf catch and fumble that was recovered by Seattle receiver Freddie Swain with about nine seconds remaining. The in-stadium game clock showed no time remaining when play was stopped, though TV replays showed quarterback Geno Smith spiked the ball with time remaining.
However, during the chaos prior to the Seahawks snapping the ball, people came off Seattle's sideline, including inactive quarterback Russell Wilson, to urge Swain to get up and get to the line of scrimmage. Swain also never gave the ball to an official, instead running over to just outside of the 25-yard line to put the ball on the ground. An official did come in and tap the ball, signifying the ball could be snapped, but the official never reset the ball, essentially allowing the Seahawks to choose the line of scrimmage.
After reviews confirmed Metcalf had caught the ball -- he took four steps with it before being stripped by James Pierre -- three seconds were placed on the clock and on the start of play, the Seahawks spiked the ball, stopping the clock and setting up a game-tying field goal to send the game into overtime.
The Steelers won the game in overtime after T.J. Watt had a strip-sack to set up a Chris Boswell field goal for a win that sent the team into its bye week at 3-3.
"It’s in our rear-view mirror. It doesn’t benefit me or us in any way to rehash it," Tomlin said. "That’s my position. Often after games, I acknowledge things that transpire in the bowl. But on a Tuesday as we are moving forward, it’s fruitless for me to continue to expand on it, what was said and who said what and what I expect to happen in reaction to it. I understand you guys are interested, but pardon me if I don’t indulge you.”
MORE FROM PRACTICE
• No timetable has been determined for the return of defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt just yet according to Tomlin. Tuitt continues to work hard to return to the field.
• Offensive lineman Zach Banner was activated off the Reserve/Injured List last week, but remained inactive when the Steelers took on the Seahawks. The reason he was held out, according to Tomlin, was to get him an extra week on top of the bye week to get healthy.
• Wide receivers' coach Ike Hillard said the reason Ray-Ray McCloud played so many more snaps than James Washington Sunday was because McCloud practiced in the slot all week. The plan originally was for Washington and Claypool to split snaps on the outside.
"But Chase's hamstring held up better than we thought it would," Hilliard said.
That meant few snaps for Washington and Hilliard is taking accountability to make sure Washington gets more snaps next week.