# The 19th Annual Steelers March to the Super Bowl Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [September 12, 2021, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540 "2021-09-12T12:26:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/81 "2022-01-10T00:50:06Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > They could conceivably actually play and legitimately tie. Extremely unlikely, but I could live with it. If it gets to OT, there is quite a bit of grey area. Especially less than 5 minutes left. If the teams don’t need to win, you can’t really fault them for not calling timeouts and letting the clock run out. And OT is of course only 10 minutes now. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/82 "2022-01-10T00:55:01Z")
But if not, it’s KC on the road next week. Maybe Hill’s heel keep him out? Either way, will be another long shot. But I’m amazed with this team, and probably have to elevate Tomlin a bit. Also, 7 Big Ben 4th quarter comebacks this year, which is just ridiculous for how he looked this season. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/83 "2022-01-10T00:55:24Z")
If it goes something like the Steelers game today, I could see them doing something like kneeling out the game right at the end rather than trying the winning FG. Otherwise I think they’ll play the game straight up. ---
**Author:** ![Gretzky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gretzky/32/6682_2.png) [@Gretzky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretzky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/84 "2022-01-10T00:58:49Z")
I’m indifferent, but it would be pretty cool to see a team’s playoff chance spoiled by one of the most unlikely outcomes. ---
**Author:** ![Gretzky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gretzky/32/6682_2.png) [@Gretzky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretzky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/85 "2022-01-10T01:13:44Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > Won’t happen. Can’t happen. The Chargers and the Raiders won’t want to face the wrath of the NFL, football fans in general, gamblers, Congress, and the federal and state authorities for match fixing, and that’s just the start. > > They could conceivably actually play and legitimately tie. Extremely unlikely, but I could live with it. But they won’t cooperate. Not sure there is a law against two teams not trying their best in a football game if it’s merely a strategic decision and they are not being paid to do so. I think it is akin to a running back not scoring when he could late in a game, instead flopping, letting the clock run down, and kicking an easy field goal. Basically agreeing to tie the game when it would assure each teams’ success is not match fixing, its sensible strategy. The NFL and fans will get upset, but I doubt any laws will be broken. This is just my intuition. I’d be interested to see any statutes or case law that would make this type of football strategy illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/86 "2022-01-10T01:19:17Z")
Colluding to achieve a specific outcome is by definition match fixing. If one team takes a knee that’s their business. If the other team does likewise that’s tacit cooperation to achieve a specific result. Even if you empty your bench with no expectation of winning you can’t simply not play. ---
**Author:** ![Gretzky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gretzky/32/6682_2.png) [@Gretzky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretzky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/87 "2022-01-10T01:22:19Z")
Yes, of course it would be collusion, but of a strategic nature, not because they were paid by a mob boss looking to make money. Regardless, are there any statutes or case law, or even NFL rules against this type of strategy? ---
**Author:** ![3AxisCtrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/ecd19e/32.png) [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/88 "2022-01-10T01:35:39Z")
Seems like if you play by the rules and secure an outcome favorable to your team and its fans, that should be fine. In this case, the rules have set things up such that playing for a tie is rational and sensible. It’s certainly far-fetched to think it would be against any law. ---
**Author:** ![Gretzky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gretzky/32/6682_2.png) [@Gretzky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretzky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/89 "2022-01-10T01:40:05Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > Colluding to achieve a specific outcome is by definition match fixing. A team allowing a running back to score late in a game and that running back flopping short of the end zone is both teams intentionally not being competitive for strategic reasons. That is accepted football strategy. It could affect the outcome of gambling lines. But I don’t think it is illegal, and would not involve Congress or even punishment from the NFL. As **3AxisCtrl** indicated, the NFL rules created the path for these teams to succeed, it would be ridiculous for the NFL to punish them for traveling that path. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/90 "2022-01-10T01:46:27Z")
But in that case, both teams are still playing too win. The object is to have more points than the opponent when the clock runs out, so managing the clock so your opponent doesn’t get the ball back is a valid strategy. This is all moot anyway, both teams appear to be out for blood. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/91 "2022-01-10T02:05:04Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > This is all moot anyway, both teams appear to be out for blood. As we would have expected with 2 divisional rivals. if it goes to OT, it’s not moot. I’d feel much better with a safety or missed extra point or something. ---
**Author:** ![Gretzky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gretzky/32/6682_2.png) [@Gretzky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretzky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/92 "2022-01-10T02:08:14Z")
[quote=“muldoonthief, post:90, topic:950540, full:true”] But in that case, both teams are still playing too win.[/quote] In this case, both teams agreeing to a tie is still both teams trying to win, not the game, but a playoff spot. Why would you not take the guaranteed choice? Neither team gains more by winning (trying to win), but the risk increases. > This is all moot anyway, both teams appear to be out for blood. I know. There is no way they will agree to a tie. I just don’t think it would be illegal or even against NFL rules if they decided to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/93 "2022-01-10T02:10:25Z")
If only one team needed a tie to advance, and the game was irrelevant to the other team, no one would question if the playoff-bound team just kneeled to run the clock out. I think that would be the excuse both teams would use. ---
**Author:** ![Gretzky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gretzky/32/6682_2.png) [@Gretzky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretzky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/94 "2022-01-10T04:49:46Z")
Laughing my ass off here, not literally, but big time. Headed to OT. Both teams should just tank in OT and go to the playoffs. Hard for Congress to prove criminal intent. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/95 "2022-01-10T04:51:27Z")
I’m going to fucking die over here. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/96 "2022-01-10T04:52:28Z")
This cannot be happening. ---
**Author:** ![Gretzky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gretzky/32/6682_2.png) [@Gretzky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretzky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/97 "2022-01-10T04:55:01Z")
A tie is still pretty rare. There probably will be a winner. ---
**Author:** ![Gretzky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gretzky/32/6682_2.png) [@Gretzky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretzky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/98 "2022-01-10T04:56:21Z")
But if the Raiders kick a field goal, the Chargers have no incentive to win, just juice the clock and kick a field goal themselves. A Raider field goal on the first drive is the worst result for Steeler fans. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/99 "2022-01-10T04:58:50Z")
OK, Raiders. You have it in your hands. Either win or give up the touchdown and lose. NO FUCKING TIES. ---
**Author:** ![Gretzky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gretzky/32/6682_2.png) [@Gretzky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gretzky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540/100 "2022-01-10T05:00:36Z")
Is this not the most exciting, inexplicable, and improbable playoff scenario in NFL history? Indianapolis losing to the worst team in the NFL, Pittsburgh winning in OT, the Raiders and Chargers on the precipice of a tie, such an improbable event and the only way the Steelers can lose the playoffs? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-19th-annual-steelers-march-to-the-super-bowl-thread/950540.md?page=6)