Steelers’ fake punt backfires in spectacular fashion vs. Commanders

The design was perfect.

The initial execution was strong.

There was just one problem for the Steelers: Gunner James Pierre dropped the pass on a fake punt deep in their own end of the field. 

Three players later, the Commanders were in the end zone to tie the game up at 7-all.

It was a strange decision to call for a fake by coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers were ahead, 7-0, and at their own 16-yard line, facing 4th-and-15.

Had Pierre caught the pass from safety Miles Killebrew, it would’ve gone for a first down. 

But it was still a strange call, so deep in their own territory.

Ultimately, it came back to bite Tomlin and the Steelers. 

The Commanders led the Steelers at halftime, 17-14.