BroBible
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a Week 2 matchup to Seattle on Sunday. A rookie mistake helped the Seahawks build a late lead.
Running back Kaleb Johnson gifted his opponent a free touchdown due to his misunderstanding of a recent NFL rule change. It proved extremely costly for his team.
The play came in the fourth quarter of a three-point game. Seattle led 17-14 after a Jason Myers field goal. That advantage would quickly grow to two scores.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED IN THE SEAHAWKS – STEELERS GAME pic.twitter.com/f99qsGth87
— The Sports Place (@offsportsplace) September 14, 2025
The Seahawks‘ ensuing kickoff went through Johnon’s hands as he attempted to field it. He then let it roll into the endzone believing that the play was dead.
It was not.
Seattle defenders quickly tracked the ball down to recover it for a touchdown. The score put the Steelers in a 24-14 hole.
Rather than get the opportunity to retake the lead, Pittsburgh fell further behind in what would be a 31-17 loss. An NFL rule change is to blame.
The recent rule change applies to the “landing zone” of the kick. This refers to the “area between the receiving team’s goal line and its 20-yard line. The dynamic kickoff rules revolve around the ball finding that zone.”
A kick that falls short of the landing zone is blown dead. A kick that initially hits in the endzone can be returned or downed.
In Kaleb Johnson’s case, the ball hit inside the landing zone and then rolled into the endzone.
Kicks that hit in the landing zone and go into the end zone must be returned or downed by the receiving team.
Johnson assumed the play would end as the ball rolled behind him. It did not. The ball was live and was recovered by the Seahawks for a score.
The return man likely won’t make the same mistake twice.
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