The Steelers did in fact force 4 punts against the Jags. Twice the Jaguars were held to very brief series with the Steelers breathing down their neck in the 3rd quarter. So yeah there was more than ample evidence that the had the Jaguars been forced to win the game by getting 2 first downs they would have come up short. Hell the Steelers defense might not have even had to make a play. A Jaguars penalty, or Bortles short arms a pass to a open receiver etc...bad offenses have good games, but tend to reveal themselves in the most critical moments. Give them a chance to beat themselves good chance they would have.
Again not hindsight. Every factor to consider going in weighed heavily in kicking it away and trying to get the ball back with time on the clock.
And again Cowher's onside's kick doesn't even belong in the conversation. It was either to open the 2nd half or early in the 3rd quarter and the Cowboys had no clue it was coming and were aligned for the Steelers to kick deep.
And if you're dismissing the Steelers decade long inability to successfully field their own onsides kick into the equation then big lol at you! Ridiculous!
There's a huge difference between aggressive and stupid.
Doug Perderson was aggressive and I commend him. I also commend
Tomlin when he goes for it on 4th down ( more often than not)as long as the play call isn't some dumb ass play where the running back gets the ball 8 yards behind the line and
runs wide on 4th and an inch. I also commend Tomlin when he doesn't turtle with the lead. I'm not a Tomlin basher. I'm not asking for him to be fired. I just think that was a terrible decision. Same with running the clock to the last second on the final drive. It's past and we live with it. But never will I knuckle unde to the bullshit that the call wasn't dumb as hell.