A 73-yard Jacoby Jones kickoff return helped set up the Ravens’ third field goal of the game and gave Baltimore a 16-7 third-quarter lead against Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
The question is, could the return have been even longer if Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t in the field of play as Jones sprinted down the Pittsburgh sideline?
A replay of Jones’ return (and this screen shot from MDS) showed Tomlin just in the field of play as Jones runs toward him. While Tomlin jumped out of the way before Jones could make contact with him, the Ravens’ returner, who had been running close to the sideline, altered course inward, and he was caught by Steelers defensive back Cortez Allen from behind.
The Steelers have now cut the Ravens’ lead to 19-14 early in the fourth quarter. No matter the outcome, Tomlin’s impact on Jones’ return figures to be much discussed.