First Call: Steeler rips refs; former Steeler helps Ravens; WPIAL star shines for Patriots
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Monday’s “First Call” starts with a certain Steeler who isn’t happy with the referees. J.J. Watt isn’t happy with a certain teammate. A WPIAL standout shines in the NFL. And a former Steeler is helping the Ravens — again.
Zebras get a zero
Steelers linebacker Vince Williams took to Twitter to complain about the officials after his team beat the Denver Broncos 26-21 Sunday.
Well, we assume that’s the “other team” he’s talking about in this tweet.
We beat two teams today! #WeAllWeGot
— Vince Williams (@VinnyVidiVici98) September 20, 2020
Most of the people who commented on his post assumed the same thing. And why wouldn’t they?
The officials sure didn’t give the Steelers any breaks on Sunday. They were busted for 10 penalties. Six led directly to first downs. The refs cost the Steelers 89 yards in flags. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos were only whistled four times for 30 yards.
I see Williams’ complaint. For instance, at one point in the second half, one official actually reached for a flag on a Steelers fourth-down incompletion aimed at Eric Ebron. And he left it in his pocket.
Then, three plays later on a Denver third-down incompletion, Minkah Fitzpatrick got tagged with a 50-50 pass interference call.
One of the storylines of Week 1 is that there weren’t a lot of penalties called across the NFL. There were 181 total flags thrown. There have already been 185 in Week 2, and the “Monday Night Football” game has yet to kick off.
So, it appears that trend may be ticking up.
Winovich wins this matchup
Thomas Jefferson product Chase Winovich made eyes pop on “Sunday Night Football.”
Look what the New England Patriots defensive lineman did to Seattle Seahawks running back Carlos Hyde in this showdown.
Chase Winovich bullied Carlos Hyde here
(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/tRP6cAyoM9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 21, 2020
Winovich ended up splitting the sack of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson with Derek Rivers. He wound up with three tackles and two quarterback hits on the night.
The Patriots would go on to lose by a final score of 35-30.
L.J. for a TD
Former Steelers linebacker L.J. Fort helped the Ravens blowout the Cleveland Browns 38-6 in Week 1 by causing a special teams turnover. He also recovered a fumble.
Well, make it two for two. Fort had another fumble recovery in Week 2. This time against the Houston Texans. And this time he turned it into a touchdown.
.@marlon_humphrey punch out@i_Serve24 takes it to the HOUSE❗️❗️
:CBS pic.twitter.com/hDSTkOMl8P
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 20, 2020
Initially, the ball was ruled down at the one-yard line. But the play was reviewed, and Fort was granted the TD.
This was Fort’s second touchdown. He recovered a fumble in the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons while he was with the Steelers in 2018 as well.
The Ravens went on to win 33-16.
J.J. is ticked
Houston Texans star defensive player J.J. Watt toasted one of his own after that loss to the Ravens.
It’s rookie defensive tackle Ross Blacklock.
With the Ravens up 30-16 late in the fourth quarter, Blacklock committed unnecessary roughness, earned a personal foul and was ejected from the game. Justin Tucker kicked a field goal for the game’s final score to make it 33-16.
Blacklock finished the game with one tackle. And Watt’s shame.
J.J. Watt on Ross Blacklock's ejection: "Stupid. Selfish. It was a stupid play. It was selfish. I've spoken to Ross before … it pisses me off. It's a selfish move, late in the game … it's dumb. Very dumb to hurt your team in that type of setting for no reason." pic.twitter.com/LSH3HtBJE5
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) September 21, 2020
The 0-2 Texans come to Heinz Field Sunday for the “Watt Brothers Bowl,” as J.J. takes on his brothers T.J. and Derek.