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The Steelers, undeterred by the game's final seconds or past
results, edged the San Diego Chargers 24-20 on a risky play call
as time expired.
Pittsburgh had the ball at San Diego's one yard-line while
trailing by three and just five seconds remaining.
A field goal would have been the safe call and extended the game
to overtime, but the Steelers instead ran a direct snap to
running back Le'Veon Bell who was met quickly by the defense but
narrowly stretched over the goal-line and avoided the loss.
"We have to play to win and that’s what we did," Tomlin told
reporters.
"We had an opportunity to win the game and we're on the road in
a hostile environment. We have to run the ball."
Tomlin, known for his stoic poker face on the sidelines, has
boldly stared defeat in the face in consecutive weeks with mixed
results. He faced wide criticism a week and a half ago when the
Steelers attempted a fourth down play rather than a field goal
in overtime, leading to their loss to Baltimore.
Tomlin was seen on camera saying "my bad" into his headset,
acknowledging responsibility to his coaching staff.
"When you lose, you’re open to criticism," Tomlin told the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We lost, so I’m not going to try to
justify anything that we did. Anything we did, I take
responsibility for."
Tomlin’s willingness to take chances may in part stem from his
pedigree as coach and the franchise he works for.
The Steelers are historically loyal to their head coaches and
have employed just three over the past 46 years.
Tomlin, 43, has reached two Super Bowls and captured one since
he took the helm in 2007 and remains secure in his position and
confident in his fearless philosophy.
"I’m glad that coach (Tomlin) has the confidence in us to go out
there and complete the job," Bell said.
"He puts the confidence in us and we have to go out there and
deliver."
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; editing by Amlan
Chakraborty)
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