Steelers Lose on ‘Two Cheeks’ Fumble Challenge

With the Pittsburgh Steelers losing 17-0 to the San Francisco 49ers and pretty much nothing going right, T.J. Watt nearly got the ball back to the offense with a strip-sack on Brock Purdy. However, the officials ruled that Purdy recovered the loose ball, even though it wasn’t entirely clear. Two plays later 49ers kicker Jake Moody kicked as 32-yard field goal to give San Francisco a commanding 20-0 lead with 8:22 remaining in the first half.

Purdy’s fumble recovery was awkward as he had control of the ball with both hands underneath his butt. FOX rule analyst Dean Blandino said Purdy clearly had control and there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the ruling on the field.

“The league rule is that two cheeks counts as possession,” Blandino said.

A butt fumble recovery from Brock Purdy 😂 pic.twitter.com/hyuCUltU3B

— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) September 10, 2023

Watt’s strip-sack could have provided a spark for the Steelers, who have looked completely flat on both sides of the ball. The Steelers’ offense had just 13 total yards and no first downs until Najee Harris ripped off a 24-yard run with 1:24 remaining in the first half.

After five possessions without a first down, Kenny Pickett led the Steelers on a 12-play, 95-yard touchdown drive to cut the 49ers’ lead to 20-7 at halftime. Pickett connected to Pat Freiermuth on a 3-yard touchdown with 10 seconds left in the first half.

The impressive two-minute drill didn’t carry any momentum to the defense, however, as 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey ripped off a 65-yard touchdown reception to begin the second half and increase San Francisco’s lead to 27-7.