The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ season ended with a Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills in what was a close game until the final few minutes. There were some questionable calls made by the refs in the matchup, and Steelers WR George Pickens expressed his frustrations.
There were two questionable calls in the game, including a holding call on Pittsburgh LB Myles Jack with a ball that may not have been catchable. The call eventually led to a Bills touchdown giving them a 14-point lead with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter.
“If you win a game like this, people are going to think what they’re going to think, so it’ll probably change a few perceptions. But like I said before, you can’t play the Bills and the refs at the same time,” Pickens said.
Pickens: “When you’re out there trying to make the plays you are personally, and then they just take away calls. Throwing a clear pass over Myles Jack’s head. They called a PI – it’s not catchable. So just, politically, when guys go back and watch the game, watch the refs.”
Pickens was visibly frustrated on the sideline late in the game, especially after the Steelers’ second-to-last drive when there was no call on a pass thrown his way when he believed it was pass interference.
George Pickens was NOT happy after no flags were thrown on that fourth down play.pic.twitter.com/3M7FUNXGIO
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 16, 2024
While Pickens might not have been pleased with the officials, one of the most controversial calls of the game went in Pittsburgh’s favor.
When things were going poorly for the Steelers in the first half, it appeared as if TE Pat Freiermuth lost a fumble to give the ball right back to Buffalo. However, officials ruled that the Steelers would keep the ball because it touched Freiermuth’s helmet.
Regardless of the officiating, the Bills were the better team throughout the game. They took a commanding 21-0 lead early and never relinquished the advantage. Even when the Steelers came within one score in the fourth quarter, Buffalo QB Josh Allen responded with a touchdown pass to WR Khalil Shakir.
Pickens finished his first playoff game with five receptions on 11 targets for 50 yards.
Allen had a strong performance in the win, as he threw for 203 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions while running for 74 yards, including a 50-plus-yard TD run.
Beating the Bills was going to be tough enough for the Steelers, who lost 38-3 in Buffalo last season. After falling behind by three touchdowns, taking home a win was nearly impossible.
Pittsburgh’s deficit was largely due to two turnovers that led to 14 Bills points.
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The Steelers’ comeback was jump-started by DT Montravius Adams’ blocked field goal with two minutes left in the third. Down 21-0 at the time, the Steelers scored 17 of the game’s next 20 points behind the play of Rudolph.
Still, it was a classic case of too little too late for the Steelers who ultimately fell to the Bills 31-17.
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