Josh Allen’s ‘Fake Slide’ has caught the attention of the NFL world. Fans are divided if that’s a fair move or not. During the Steelers-Bills game, Josh Allen ran for a 52 yard TD. But there are questions being raised. And former DPOY JJ Watt got into it with fans on Twitter.
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When a fan ask Watt what he thinks of the situation, here’s what he said:
Fake slide is a brilliant move.
If there’s a way to use a rule to your advantage, you absolutely do it.
Does it suck for defensive players? Yes.
Could he possibly get smoked if a defensive guy decides not to fall for it one time? Absolutely. https://t.co/3Lfs2NdzGy
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 15, 2024
He agrees that it is not the most ideal situation for the defensive players, but it also opens Allen to the threat of getting smoked. Which actually did end up happening later in the game. Have a look:
It’s so hard to play defense now
Josh Allen fake slide leads to a TD
Josh Allen late slide leads to a personal foul#Steelers pic.twitter.com/fpmcqbgCKn— Tony Clements (@TonyCMKE) January 16, 2024
So the fans raise doubts around the ability of defensive players to take such intricate calls in real time. With the season on the line, these calls and rules become even more polarising. The stakes are too high for the complexities of the rules. If things are open to interpretation, it will always leave room for debate. As we see happened with JJ Watt and the fans.
A Twitter user replied to JJ Watt thinking he’s in support of Josh Allen’s ‘Fake Slide’:
Still think this??
That’s what a fake slide leads to. There needs to be more flags on QBs for complaining, grounding, flopping, and fake sliding.
It’s obnoxious
— Matt (@RbiTriples) January 16, 2024
But Watt quickly responded explaining why this was the opposite of the point he was trying to put across:
I didn’t say I like it. At all.
I said it’s a brilliant move because it gives them an advantage.
Utilizing the rules to your advantage in any way possible is literally the job of a coach/player/team.
Until they change the rules, you should always take full advantage of them. https://t.co/YjCvQkvm2s
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 16, 2024
Ever since his retirement, JJ Watt has taken an active interest in social media. He has frequent interactions with the fans. But here his point got lost. Although, the issue of the fake slide became a hot trend.
Fans Have Mixed Feelings for Josh Allen
It is always fun to watch QBs running across the field for a TD. Josh Allen has had 15 in the regular season. But does he need to do everything possible to get the win? Twitter is divided. Especially when in the same game itself, Allen tried to get a penalty after being hit on a slide by Myles Jack. Here’s what the people said:
Naw you can’t fake slide and than get mad when you get hit
— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) January 16, 2024
Josh Allen turns a fake slide into a 50 yard TD then slides LATE and STILL gets this call…
Friendly reminder that we wager actual dollars on this league. Unreal.
pic.twitter.com/uS2rwSfq90— Joe’s Picks (@Joes_Picks) January 16, 2024
Josh Allen is a great football player, no doubt about it.
But the fake slide, freezing the defender from making a play really sucks.
This is squarely on the NFL.
How is a defender supposed to tackle Josh Allen in the open field????
— Savage (@SavageSports_) January 15, 2024
How was Myles Jack supposed to know if that was a fake slide or not?
— Cameron Kerr (@KerrCameron) January 16, 2024
And on the other hand, there were many fans who could not be more excited with the rushing TD, which did make for spectacular watching, no doubt:
Josh Allen is like a human monster truck with the soul of a labradoodle that’s fueled by Four Loko.
A singular, unhinged experience.
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) January 15, 2024
Josh Allen making playoff history!
( NFL, CBS) pic.twitter.com/oFdHJIrnm0
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 16, 2024
Bills Mafia is overjoyed with the playoff win. But Steeler nation on the other hand will point fingers. Till now, those have been pointed outside. Since Steelers did seem to pick up a rhythm in the offense, albeit late in the game. A call here or there, and no one can say for sure which way the game would’ve gone.
Yes, the Bills dominated aspects of the game, but the Steelers too were in it till the very end. So the anger of the fans is justifiable. Especially when its win or go home playoff football.