New evidence Steelers vs. Patriots: Controversial penalty late in 4Q dooms Pittsburgh in loss on ‘Thursday Night Football’

A controversial penalty was one of the final nails in the Steelers’ coffin during Thursday night’s 21-18 loss to the Patriots. 

The penalty occurred with Pittsburgh trailing by three points and facing a fourth-and-3 at their own 38-yard-line with just over five minutes left. It looked like the Steelers would be awarded a first down after Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai appeared to jump offsides before the snap. But the officials instead penalized Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz for a false start. Pittsburgh was forced to punt instead of getting a fresh set of downs.

Patriots linebacker Jalani Tavai appeared to be offsides before the snap, giving the Steelers a first down.
But instead, officials penalized Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz for a false start.
Instead of getting another down, Pittsburgh was forced to punt.
Mr.
Kuntz did not move, but the officers appeared to punish him for lifting his head.
The penalty quickly became a hot topic on social media, with future Hall of Famer and current CBS Sports NFL analyst JJ Watt weighing in.
Mr.
Watt was clearly not a fan of the phone.
This is how long snappers in the NFL move their heads
.
.
The Steelers got the ball back, but Mitch Trubisky missed a deep pass to Diontae Johnson and they fell just short.
Please note: 4-down game.
It was Pittsburgh’s second loss in the past five days against a team it had won twice.
Mike Tomlin’s team started the season 6-3 and is now 7-6.
While Pittsburgh fans are lamenting, New England fans who are hoping for a top pick in next spring’s draft may not be too happy.
One person who is definitely happy with today’s outcome is Bill Belichick.
He is 15 wins away from tying Don Shula’s NFL record of 347 wins.