Dean Blandino: 'Pittsburgh Steelers should have been penalised'

The NFL vice-president of officiating Dean Blandino has admitted that the Pittsburgh Steelers should have been penalised when Mike Tomlin impeded Jacoby Jones on a punt return.

Tomlin stepped onto the white line on the edge of the field and had a foot in bounds, which forced Jones to alter the direction of his return when it appeared he was in the clear.

Blandino told NFL Network: "Anytime a player or a coach from the sideline is in this white area, that's a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

"If they interfere with the play, it could be what's called a 'palpably unfair act.' In that instance, the referee could basically penalise the team whatever he deems equitable, which could include giving the Ravens a touchdown.

"That's not the case here, but certainly coach Tomlin was in the white. He should have been flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct."

Tomlin has stated that his actions were "embarrassing".