Madden Monday: Debating Zach Ertz's catch, Steelers' fake punt, T.J. Watt's holding calls, Jaylen Warren's fumble

There were so many calls, decisions and moments to digest from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday that no two people were going to agree on all of them.

During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden and I certainly did not.

For instance, I hated the Steelers’ decision to try a fake punt deep in their own territory early in the game.

Just because the play design worked, that doesn’t mean it was smart to call. After all, the play relied on one defensive back (Miles Killebrew) throwing a pass to another defensive back (James Pierre). A lot can go wrong there.

And something did. Pierre dropped the ball, and the Commanders turned the miscue into a 16-yard touchdown drive.

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However, what I saw as an unnecessary gamble, Madden saw as a worthwhile risk.

“I think it’s a great call at the right time of the game,” Madden said. “If you’re ever going to do that fake punt from that spot on the field, up 7-0 in the first quarter on the road is a good time to do it. If Pierre catches it, he could run forever. I had no problem.”

We also disagreed on the spot of Zach Ertz’s fourth-down catch late in the fourth quarter. The officials — and instant replay review — said Ertz came up shy of the line-to-gain in an effort to extend Washington’s final offensive drive.

Replay of the catch by Zach Ertz that was ruled short of the first down marker. pic.twitter.com/Q3vcNxopRC

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) November 10, 2024

I think the officials got the call right. Madden disagreed.

“I thought Ertz made it,” Madden said. “I thought, if you looked at it live, the forward progress was (that) he caught the ball at the line.”

A debate we did agree on was whether or not Jaylen Warren actually fumbled at the Washington 1-yard line in the fourth quarter. Some Steelers fans — and CBS officiating expert Gene Steratore — insist Warren’s forward progress was stopped and he should’ve been ruled down before the ball was ripped out.

YESSIRRRRR @ChinnJeremy2

???? #PITvsWAS CBS pic.twitter.com/cGjMB25PLf

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 10, 2024

“I didn’t think (forward progress) had been stopped,” Madden said. “That’s obviously a fumble. I can’t believe anybody would even argue that.”

And while Madden agrees with complaints from Steelers fans who believe that T.J. Watt is being held by opposing offensive linemen with very few flags being dropped, he says that can’t be an excuse for the linebacker’s no-tackle, no-sack performance against Washington.

“I’m tired of hearing the (complaints) about him getting held all the time. Find a way to beat that,” Madden said. “If you’re getting triple-teamed all the time, don’t line up at the same spot all the time. Don’t rush the passer almost the same way every time. Vary your game. Adjust. Figure out how they’re stopping you and have an antidote for it.

“I think he’s a lot closer to not being that great anymore than people would care to admit.”

Also, during the podcast, Madden and I look ahead to next week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens; we discuss Tristan Jarry’s return to the Penguins and Pitt’s loss to Virginia.