VIDEO: Mike Tomlin Was Clearly Telling Devlin Hodges to 'Clock it' Before Game-Ending Interception
By Jerry Trotta
As expected, Sunday night's matchup between the Steelers and Bills was a tightly-contested, low-scoring affair. Pittsburgh was driving twice in the final minutes, down seven, needing a TD to tie. Unfortunately, both times they got close, Devlin Hodges launched a duck in the end zone that was intercepted by Buffalo, and the final one sealed the deal as time expired. However, footage has emerged which indicates that INT never should've happened...at least, not then and there. Mike Tomlin was caught evidently repeating "Clock it," into his mic, but his commands were for naught, as Hodges opted to run a disastrous play instead.
It remains to be seen if Hodges merely didn't receive Tomlin's instructions, or if he flat-out ignored them. Whatever the case, it's fair to say that this won't blow over well in the Steelers locker room considering the significance of the game. Perhaps Tomlin's comments about Hodges "not killing them" like Mason Rudolph were spoken too soon?
For those who missed the game-ending turnover, we've got you covered. Fair warning for Steelers fans, though: the footage is even more infuriating the day after.
The look on Tomlin's face says it all. That prayer had no chances of falling into the arms of a Pittsburgh pass catcher.
There were 30 seconds left on the clock at the time of the interception. Hodges rushing to get off a play was about as classic an undrafted QB mistake as you'll ever see.