One of the most controversial plays from Sunday’s game between the Broncos and Steelers came when Peyton Manning seemingly gave himself up for a sack in the fourth quarter but popped up and completed a pass to Emmanuel Sanders. We wouldn’t blame Pittsburgh fans for being angry with the officials, but Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward blamed his team.
After the 23-16 loss, Heyward credited Manning for a heads-up play.
“Big ups for him for getting back up,” Heyward said, per Lindsay H. Jones. of USA Today Sports. “Brain fart by us.”
Good on Heyward for not pointing the finger, but we disagree. Here’s a video of the play:
Peyton goes down, Peyton gets up, Peyton completes pass. Does not appear to be touched on the 2nd view pic.twitter.com/6eVqjZS3PU
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) January 18, 2016
It clearly looked like Manning gave himself up, which would have been a sack. Since that would be a judgment call from the officials, the play was not reviewable. Even Manning made it seem like he went down intentionally.
“I’d like to get in there early in the morning and then I can get it deleted off the game film,” he joked. “I don’t know because those video guys get there pretty quick.”
Manning ended up completing a 34-yard pass to Sanders. While the Broncos still punted on the possession, the play may have played a significant role in field position, as the sack-that-should-have been took place at Denver’s 15-yard line.
The play that Heyward described as a “brain fart” was just one on a long list of plays that Steelers fans should be upset about.
