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Referees grant Pittsburgh Steelers controversial first down to seal win over Los Angeles Rams

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•10/22/23
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Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers barely pulled out a win against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, and it wasn’t without some controversy. With Pittsburgh needing one more final first down to run out the clock late in the fourth quarter, the Steelers decided to let quarterback Kenny Pickett run the ball on a quarterback sneak. It appeared that he wasn’t even close. However, officials thought otherwise, giving the Steelers the game-clinching first down.

Check it out below and decide for yourself.

Sometimes those lucky breaks happen in sports. And luckily for Pittsburgh fans, the football officiating gods were on their side on Sunday evening. The Steelers ended up running out the clock and prevailing 24-17.

The Steelers battled back in the second half, outscoring the Rams 21-8 in the final two quarters, to come away with the win. Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett had a decent showing, completing 17 of 25 passes for 230 yards, while also tacking on a rushing touchdown.

Steelers’ backup running back Jaylen Warren punched in a touchdown, rushing for 32 yards on six carries.

Kenny Pickett and George Pickens continued their excellent connection. Pickens hauled in five catches for 107 receiving yards. He’s been dominant from day one as a rookie and the former Georgia standout figures to be a matchup problem for many years to come for Pittsburgh.

LA Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua continues to be a matchup nightmare. He hauled in eight catches for 154 receiving yards on Saturday afternoon. Nacua began his college career with the Washington Huskies, before transferring to the BYU Cougars.

He was one of the more dominant receivers in the country coming out of high school, but largely flew under the radar this year coming into the National Football League. Nacua finished his prolific high school career with 260 catches, 5,266 receiving yards, and 58 touchdown catches, all of which are Utah state records.

The Steelers grinded out 135 rushing yards on Saturday. One smiling face in the coaches’ booth on Sunday was Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who has continued to draw the ire of their fan base in the past few years.

Chants of “Fire Canada” were once again ringing Friday, except this time, not inside Acrisure Stadium. This time, “Fire Canada” chants were heard outside Ohio Stadium in Columbus on the set of “The Pat McAfee Show.”

Steelers fans were also chanting “Fire Canada” in their home game this year against the Baltimore Ravens.