“We have a blocking culture” – Steelers block 2 placekicks in win over Jets; only 1 counts

For the third straight game, the Pittsburgh Steelers' special teams produced a blocked kick. And on Sunday there would have been two – if it hadn't been for a questionable flag.

In Sunday night's win over the New York Jets, it counted when Dean Lowry raised his arm to block a field goal attempt by Greg Zuerlein late in the third quarter. Lowry's 35-yard attempt kept the Steelers' lead at eight before they extended it with a 37-15 victory in the fourth quarter.

ANOTHER @Steelers blocked kick!

????: #NYJvsPIT on NBC/Peacock
????: Keep streaming #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/xqEZeyYC2D

– NFL (@NFL) October 21, 2024

Minkah Fitzpatrick appeared to have blocked Zuerlein's extra-point kick in the second quarter, but Fitzpatrick was called for “leverage.” Fitzpatrick, Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith and head coach Mike Tomlin all argued for the call, which appeared questionable in nature in television replays.

Leverage is defined by the NFL as “a player jumping or standing on a teammate or opponent to block or attempt to block an opponent's kick.”

They called Minkah because he was dumped here. Ban these referees TONIGHT. ????️ pic.twitter.com/dxZpEhk2JO

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) October 21, 2024

The flag cost the Steelers two points because the Jets tried to force the foul for a two-point attempt, which was successful.

No matter, the Steelers' second win in a row. The first came seven days earlier in Las Vegas when Jeremiah Moon blocked a Raiders punt. A week earlier, Isaiahh Loudermilk blocked a Dallas Cowboys field goal attempt during a loss.

“We have a 'block culture' that we live by here,” Tomlin said, “and we live it with our work throughout the week.” We have a lot of people who put a lot of effort into the techniques required to make it happen . So I appreciate that, it’s pretty awesome and meaningful.”

Injury report

Two Steelers defensive players left Sunday's game in the first half due to injuries and did not return: defensive tackle Montravius ​​Adams (knee) and cornerback Donte Jackson (shoulder).

After the game, Tomlin did not provide a significant update on either topic.

Adams was placed on the league-mandated injury report Friday with a knee injury. On Saturday, he was upgraded from questionable to Sunday and cleared to play.

In Jackson's place, James Pierre played extensively as outside cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr.