If that's not a question, what is? That persistent question came up in a big way during Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. The ruling could have a big say in who wins the AFC North.
Baltimore Isaiah Likely caught what appeared to be a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter of the Week 14 matchup with Pittsburgh. But while it was initially ruled a touchdown, it was controversially changed to an incomplete pass upon review. The Steelers maintained their 27-22 lead and ended up winning the game by that final.
The Steelers and Ravens entered the game at 6-6, tied for the lead in the AFC North. As that game was being played, the Cincinnati Bengals lost to the Buffalo Bills, effectively making the division a two-team race between Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Sunday's win, aided by that call, gives Pittsburgh a serious inside track.
This isn't to say that the Ravens are done. Both the Steelers and Ravens have four games remaining, including a Week 18 matchup in Pittsburgh to finish the season. To win the division, Baltimore will obviously need to win that game. Even if it happens, the Ravens will only tie the Steelers in head-to-head record, the first tiebreaker. The next tiebreaker is divisional record, an edge that Pittsburgh currently holds at 3-1 (Baltimore is 2-2). That means that the Ravens must defeat the Bengals in Week 15, the same Cincinnati team that won 32-14 in Baltimore on Thanksgiving. The Steelers have another divisional matchup, as well, as they'll play on the road against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.
It's also worth noting that the remaining schedule would seem to favor Pittsburgh. After playing the Bengals in Week 15, the Ravens will close their season with three straight games against teams presently in playoff position, home against the New England Patriots, road against the Green Bay Packers and Steelers. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will host the Miami Dolphins before going on the road to play the Detroit Lions and Browns before finishing against Baltimore. None of those teams is presently in a playoff position and aside from the Lions and Ravens, none of those teams is even really in the mix.
So, will that call determine the AFC North champion? The Ravens can still overcome it. But even if they manage to win the Week 18 rematch, Baltimore's road to the postseason is a lot bumpier than Pittsburgh's. The Steelers and their fans should be breathing a lot easier after Sunday.