Possible error in Pit-Was game stats

[QSSGuy]

We're looking into it, but here's an advance heads-up. The gamebook (and other) play-by-plays have an apparent error in them. The 3rd-and-4 play was a sack and a penalty. If the penalty was accepted, as the play-by-play says, it would have still been 3rd down and the Steelers wouldn't have punted. It appears most likely that the penalty was declined and the play was accepted. That means D.Evans and R.McIntosh each get an additional assisted tackle, 1/2 sack and 2.5 sack yards, a sack against Leftwich, plus a team sack for Wash defense and Pitt offense, etc. Team total yards, penalty yards, all kind of stuff will be affected.

Once we resolve this matter, we'll re-issue the stats, if necessary.

Pittsburgh Steelers at 3:39
1-10-PIT 26 (3:39) W.Parker right tackle to PIT 27 for 1 yard (K.Golston, L.Fletcher).
2-9-PIT 27 (2:57) W.Parker right tackle to PIT 27 for no gain (L.Fletcher, C.Griffin).
Timeout #3 by WAS at 02:50.
3-9-PIT 27 (2:50) (Shotgun) B.Leftwich pass incomplete deep left to N.Washington [L.Landry].
PENALTY on WAS-K.Golston, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at PIT 27 - No Play.
3-4-PIT 32 (2:45) (Shotgun) B.Leftwich sacked at PIT 27 for -5 yards (sack split by D.Evans and R.McIntosh).
PENALTY on PIT, Illegal Formation, 5 yards, enforced at PIT 32 - No Play. Six men on the line
3-9-PIT 27 (2:39) M.Berger punts 48 yards to WAS 25, Center-J.Retkofsky. A.Randle El pushed ob at WAS 30 for 5 yards (An.Smith).

[Natalie Portman]

I had the game on TiVo so I just went and watched the sequence in question.

The penalty was definitely declined... the referee clearly said so verbally and signaled so with his hands.

Rather than a 3rd down and 9, the final line of that play-by-play should begin with:

4-9-PIT 27 (2:39) M.Berger punts 48 yards...


This is not even a complicated or tricky situation if you take a look at the game tape... there should be no controversy whatsoever... the sack obviously has to count.

[QSSGuy]

We made the changes and sent an update to EFS mid-day on Tuesday.