Jeremy Fowler, senior NFL national reporter 8y

Le'Veon Bell not bitter about Steelers' botched fourth-and-1

PITTSBURGH -- Of course, Le'Veon Bell wanted the ball.

But he understands why he didn't get it.

On the Pittsburgh Steelers' botched fourth-and-1 call in overtime of the 23-20 loss to the Ravens, Bell said Baltimore was in cover-zero coverage (both safeties in the box, complete sellout to the run). The Steelers called a pass play to Antonio Brown toward the sideline. Michael Vick overthrew him.

"I’ll never turn it down if they call my number," Bell said. "I can’t say I need the ball every time. I think it was a good play call. We just executed it wrong. If AB catches the ball or if the ball’s put in the right spot and AB catches it, nobody says anything ... Obviously if it’s fourth-and-1 and they try to give me the ball, I’m going to do what I can with it."

Bell had it rolling with 129 rushing yards, three of which came on a first-and-10 play from the Ravens' 42. After a Vick scramble and a 1-yard dump-off pass to Bell, the Steelers faced a game-defining decision -- attempt a 50-yard field goal with struggling kicker Josh Scobee or go for the first down.

Bell said the Steelers had an advantage on the outside and could have picked up the first down. He was asked if he was disappointed.

"I’m not disappointed. What happened, happened," Bell said. 'The play call was called in the huddle, we go out there and execute it, whether it succeeds or fails, you have to live with that and move forward."

One theory is this: If you have an elite back and need one yard, you should go to that elite back, no matter the coverage. But Bell's point is no one would question the call if the pass was completed.

I still like the chances better with Bell in that scenario. If you need two yards, that changes things. One yard, gotta win up front.

"We're confident we can run the ball on anybody," Bell said.

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