Ben Roethlisberger: “Seattle Doesn’t Want To Win”
The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a significant victory on New Year’s Eve, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 30-23 in a game where control swung decisively in the Steelers’ favor. As the clock wound down, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll made a controversial decision that left former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger questioning whether Seattle truly wanted to win.
In the final moments, with Seattle having driven down the field to narrow the score to 30-23 through a field goal, they faced a critical decision. Despite having the two-minute warning and two timeouts, Carroll opted for an onside kick rather than kicking deep and relying on their defense to stop Pittsburgh. The onside kick covered only nine yards, and it was recovered by the Steelers’ Diontae Johnson, effectively sealing the game for Pittsburgh.
Ben Roethlisberger, a key figure in the Steelers’ two Super Bowl victories during his 18 seasons with the team, expressed his disbelief and criticism of Carroll’s decision on his podcast, “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger,” which frequently livestreams during games. Roethlisberger had anticipated the Seahawks kicking the ball deep to prevent any chance of a Steelers return, with the clock likely falling below the two-minute warning. The onside kick decision left Roethlisberger baffled, questioning Carroll’s coaching acumen.
During the podcast, Roethlisberger speculated on the strategic implications of the decision. He argued that kicking deep would have forced the Steelers to run a play before the two-minute warning, potentially providing an extra timeout if they managed to stop Pittsburgh. In contrast, the onside kick, with a meager 5.6% success rate according to NFL statistics, appeared to be a misguided move that played into the Steelers’ hands.
Roethlisberger’s astonishment at the Seahawks’ choice was evident in his comments. He stated, “Seattle doesn’t want to win. They don’t want to win. That is one of the dumbest things I’ve seen in a long time.” He acknowledged the Seahawks’ defensive struggles but questioned the logic behind the onside kick, emphasizing that it essentially handed the game to the Steelers.
Reflecting on the broader context, the victory against the Seahawks held significance for the Steelers in their pursuit of a playoff berth. Mason Rudolph, the third-string quarterback, played a pivotal role in the win, achieving something not seen in decades—the last Steelers victory against the Seahawks in Seattle dated back to 1983 with quarterback Cliff Stoudt.
While the Steelers faced challenges on their path to the playoffs, the win against the Seahawks provided a crucial boost. Roethlisberger’s critique of Carroll’s decision added a layer of drama and disbelief to the game’s conclusion, highlighting the impact of strategic coaching choices on the outcome of critical matchups. As the Steelers aimed for a postseason berth, the victory over the Seahawks showcased their resilience and ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes.
Leave a Reply