‘Bizarre’ fumble ruling benefits Steelers

Associated Press

MIAMI

With the game up for grabs, Ben Roethlisberger found himself part of an end-zone scrum so frantic the officials were unable to determine who had the ball.

That gave the game to the Steelers.

A video review determined Roethlisberger’s late touchdown was instead a fumble, but because it was unclear who recovered, Pittsburgh kept the ball and kicked the game-winning field goal on the next play to beat the Miami Dolphins 23-22.

“Just a bizarre kind of play. You hate to win it that way, but you’ll take a win,” Roethlisberger said.

Said Miami linebacker Channing Crowder: “The refs called a wonderful game — for the Steelers.”

With Pittsburgh trailing 22-20 and facing third-and-goal at the 2, Roethlisberger fumbled as he dived across the goal line on a quarterback draw. The play was ruled a touchdown as both teams scrambled for the ball.

After a review, referee Gene Steratore announced Roethlisberger fumbled before scoring. But Steratore said replays were inconclusive regarding which team recovered, and the Steelers were awarded possession at the half-yard line, allowing Jeff Reed to kick an 18-yard field goal with 2:26 left.

“I have to have clear video evidence of the team recovering the fumble,” Steratore said after the game. “It is a pile of bodies in there, and you don’t have a clear recovery.”

Several Dolphins argued Miami linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis recovered. Did the Steelers steal one?

“We will take it and exit stage left,” coach Mike Tomlin said.

AFC North leader Pittsburgh improved to 5-1 and remained unbeaten on the road. The Steelers won despite losing three starters with injuries: linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring), defensive end Aaron Smith (left arm) and tackle Flozell Adams (left ankle).

Miami fell to 3-3, with all the defeats at home and all the wins on the road.

Roethlisberger, playing his second game since returning from his suspension, finished 19 for 27 for 302 yards and two scores. But the Dolphins’ point total was the highest against stingy Pittsburgh this year.

The game was the first for the league’s top-scoring defense since the NFL crackdown on illegal hits, a move precipitated in part by a helmet hit by Pittsburgh’s James Harrison, who drew a $75,000 fine.

Maybe that robbed the Steelers of some zeal. Harrison said he held back once when tackling Ronnie Brown.

“I didn’t want to get a helmet-to-helmet,” Harrison said.

With the Steelers at less than their best defensively, the Dolphins’ Chad Henne threw for 257 yards. Miami took the 22-20 lead when Dan Carpenter kicked his fifth field goal with 5:17 left.