Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit left perplexed by 'bizarre' Pittsburgh Steelers play call against New England Patriots

NFL broadcasters Al Michaels and Kirk Herbtreit were distraught by the Pittsburgh Steelers playing calling on Thursday Night Football.

The two Amazon Prime's TNF announcers blasted the Steelers' late critical failed decision in their 21-18 loss to the New England Patriots.

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Michaels was alongside NFL analyst Herbstreit for the game and weighed in on Pittsburgh's decision.

With under two minutes to go in the game and trailing by three, Steelers' backup QB Mitchell Trubisky faced a vital fourth-down situation.

Pittsburgh needed two yards to get a new set of downs, and instead of running the ball or throwing a short pass, Truibisky opted for a deep pass to a well-covered Diontae Johnson and turned the ball over on down.

Herbstreit and Michaels couldn't believe it and immediately condemned the decision. 

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"I don't understand that call, Herstreit said.

Michaels responded, "No, neither do I. That call was bizarre. On a fourth and two?"

Herbstreit went on to slam the play call and scheme when the broadcast went to replay to show the failed fourth-down conversion.

"It's really easy to sit up here and second guess calls, but it's just such a low percentage throw.

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"I mean, you got a couple of go balls on the outside and a tight end that is locked up.

"And you just throw it and hope. I mean, it's fourth and two, and you haven't thrown to Diontae Johnson all night. Are you trying to get a flag here?

"Because it's a low percentage throw... Give yourself a better option there," Herbstreit pleaded.

 NFL fans flooded X, formerly known as Twitter, with many slamming the "garbage call." 

One fan expressed: "When you have no faith in your QB, you chuck it up and hope for a flag. Letting him throw it the play before, though… fireable offense."

Another said: "Low-percentage throw. With Trubisky, it's a no-percentage throw. He couldn't QB a D3 college team!!!"

A third was in disbelief: "Horrible play call. Legit, no short or quick option. They just try to win it all with a long ball." 

And fourth: "Those plays called by the coach really suck."

With that loss, the Steelers dropped to 7-6 on the season and will face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

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