The Pittsburgh Steelers took an unfortunate loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday in the AFC Wild Card matchup. The Bills were heavy favorites going into the game, but Pittsburgh kept it a close game until the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Steelers fans are not happy with the league, however, as a controversial call ended a drive by their offense that would have gotten them within striking distance, and now fans are calling the NFL “rigged” after seeing the video.
Man this should’ve been pass interference…pic.twitter.com/hTfgE0jODW
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 16, 2024
Pittsburgh Steelers Fans Claim The Game Was ‘Rigged’
On a fourth down with the game on the line, Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph threw a pass to his star wide receiver George Pickens that would have resulted in a first down if completed. However, the two did not connect, and the result of the play was a turnover on downs. Fans and analysts are saying that there should have been a pass interference on the play as a Bills defender was seen dragging down Pickens as he was trying to make a play on the ball. This caused Steelers fans to call out the league saying that the penalty should have been called and that the league is “rigged.”
Rigged #NFL#Steelers #Bills #HereWeGo
🎥 🍿 pic.twitter.com/OizLLNPJ9u
— Obviously (Not) Tomlin (@Tomlin_Sense) January 16, 2024
I stg if anyone else tell me this game is not rigged and every game Roger Goodell is at…hmm wtf
If this was a #Bills player they woulda got the flag for PI ! wtf is going on !!
Goodell was at the #Browns game as well.
Will he be at the #Ravens game ? #NFL#Steelers pic.twitter.com/dTp4YqZe4p
— Faz Ali (@FazAli23) January 16, 2024
Lmao the NFL is rigged! #Steelers #NFL
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) January 16, 2024
I whole heartedly believe the NFL and refs rigged the Steelers game so they could get a Chiefs Vs Bills rivalry matchup
— itzcotan (@itzcotan) January 16, 2024
Refs rigged this game from the jump.. do better @NFL
— Brett (@BKTrey_) January 16, 2024
How Will The Steelers Offseason Look?
Fans claimed that this should have been pass interference and that the Bills did not get any penalties called on them for the entire game, which resulted in them taking home the win. While this call would have given the Steelers a fresh set of downs, it seems a little far-fetched that the call completely changed the outcome of the game.
The final score ended 31-17 in favor of the Bills, which means they will now host the Kansas City Chiefs next weekend for the AFC Divisional round. As for Pittsburgh, their season is now over, and there will be many questions to answer during the offseason. Will Mike Tomlin be the head coach next season, and will Kenny Pickett remain the starting quarterback from here on out?
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