It’s hard for safety to turn into a net negative. But thanks to an incredible special teams gaffe, that happened to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
The Steelers extended their lead on the Cleveland Browns to 16-6 when Cleveland was flagged for holding in the end zone. But on the ensuing free kick, things went horrible awry.
On the ensuing free kick, Pittsburgh called for a fair catch and let the ball fall to the ground for no discernable reason.
Like, what are you thinking? pic.twitter.com/FsJZXtd1gL
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 28, 2018
The mistake didn’t just cost the Steelers some field position, it cost them the ball. The ball is live on a free kick.
Twitter ripped the Steelers for this gaffe.
How about Danny go over the rules with these kids? #Steelers pic.twitter.com/b040ynAct4
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 28, 2018
Hey Steelers you gotta pick that up!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 28, 2018
Steelers special teams are the worst in the NFL and it isn’t even close
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) October 28, 2018
That is inexcusable lack of knowledge by the #Steelers.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) October 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/CrazyPackersFan/status/1056623428768354311
The Browns took advantage of the short field and scored a touchdown. So, while the Steelers picked up two points with a safety, they lost five in the exchange.