“It’s a touchdown … HOWEVER …”

I think I can credit that patch of grey hair on my head to yesterday’s Pittsburgh Steelers-Detroit Lions football game.

Let me explain.

As a longtime Black and Gold fan, I know that one more win gives the Steelers their 21st consecutive season without a losing record. It also increases their playoff hopes, especially with the surging Baltimore Ravens in the rearview mirror. And they’re playing the Detroit Lions, who are fighting for their own playoff lives.

This is not a game for the weak of heart.

And although the Steelers pulled off some miracle runs – a Kenneth Gainwell catch that eventually turned into a touchdown; two running TD’s from Jaylen Warren; and Aaron Rodgers flinging that ball all over Kingdom Come like he just stepped into the Saratoga Springs mineral waters of regeneration – the Lions would not go away.

In fact, in the final moments of the contest, the Lions were in the Steelers’ red zone – just a few yards away from a game-winning touchdown – and only a few seconds left on the clock. One touchdown, the Lions win, and the Steelers’ playoff hopes take a shot in the nuts.

Detroit’s Jared Goff throws the ball to his most reliable target, Amon-Ra St. Brown, who heads straight for the touchdown – except that Joey Porter, Jr. stood tall and forced St. Brown backwards – who then flipped the ball on a lateral pass to Jared Goff, who scampered across the goal line.

Meanwhile, the referees are throwing yellow flags like it’s a championship cornhole game.

You can see the play here.

What happened?

Offensive Pass Interference. Amon-Ra St. Brown interfered with a Steeler on the play, which negated the play result. And while a defensive penalty in the final seconds can allow for one untimed down, offensive penalties are, by rule, non-negotiable. And the refs had to explain this in front of the Detroit home crowd – that one of the Lions essentially cost Detroit a game-winning score that looked obviously like a Christmas miracle in Motown.

I’m still watching it, and I still can’t believe what I see.

But what I DO see … is a 29-24 Steelers win and a much clearer pathway to the postseason.

And I’ll take that every day of the week.

Yoi and Double Yoi!