A controversial penalty called on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of their loss to the New England Patriots Thursday night has some fans claiming the NFL rigged the outcome.
The Steelers made a strong second-half comeback to the game within three points late in the fourth quarter after Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe put New England up big in the first half with three touchdown passes. A critical offsides penalty with about five minutes to go in the game hurt the Steelers’ chances to tie or win the game.
The replay showed a Patriots defender jumping offside on a fourth and three play. The Steelers would have received a much-needed first down if the Patriots had been flagged for offsides. However, officials flagged Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz for jumping offside because his head moved.
The TNF broadcast explained why the late false start on 4th down in the 4th quarter on the Steelers should’ve been offsides on the Patriots, which would’ve given the Steelers a first down #NEvsPIT pic.twitter.com/ur7VbFtK0k
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) December 8, 2023
The broadcasters calling the game said the movement by Kuntz was not abnormal for how a long snapper on a punt play.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans claim NFL rigged Patriots win
Steelers fans ranted on social media following the loss. Here are the best takes of Steelers fans calling the game “rigged” on Thursday night.
Both teams knew it was a Steelers first down and they still rigged it for them. Watch the reactions from both sides https://t.co/8DfP3BQ4fn
— Bob (@OgAckerman) December 8, 2023
So wait the Patriots win? Lol so rigged 😂😂… I just know ppl bet money on the Steelers.
— Simone Love (@SimoneBett) December 8, 2023
The Steelers have been called for ZERO penalties and have committed a lot. Rigged af
— MantoneEgoscue (@Michael_Mantone) December 8, 2023
@steelers they called a penalty on the snapper. What kind of BS is going on in the NFL. Does anyone else feel the games are being rigged and over regulated. Week in and week out this is bad. I am glad hockey is on. There is NO consistency to refereeing. The NFL is losing product.
— John E Dunworth (@llancerlot) December 8, 2023
The nfl officials once again blew an offsides call that lost the @steelers the game. Bummer these games feel so rigged @MikeFlorioPFT
— Andrew’s Daily Thots (@andrewlucas923) December 8, 2023
People say nfl isn't rigged. Well I saw last week on YouTubetv it say the 7-6 steelers playe the cardinals. The nfl knew all along who was gonna win. Especially after the "false start" on the long snapper
— Justin Whetzel (@JustinWhetzel43) December 8, 2023
THAT WAS A FALSE START ON THE STEELERS???? @NFL is rigged😂
— Zaaider (@Zaaider) December 8, 2023
Steelers Loses This Game lol RIGGED
— ✨♕GAV♛✨ (@GAVAVELI_) December 8, 2023
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