Why Steelers didn't get touchdown on muffed punt return into end zone vs. Colts

The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up the football and went into the end zone.

But it didn't count as points.

The play came when the Steelers were punting in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts.

The punt hung in the air, then was muffed.

Brandin Echols picked the ball up and trotted into the end zone. But it didn't count as points.

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Here's why:

Why didn't the Steelers get a touchdown on muffed punt?

The Steelers weren't allowed to score a touchdown on the muffed punt.

Punt fumbles work differently than other ones.

If they are recovered, they aren't allowed to be advanced. The ball changes possession to the recovering team, but they get the ball at the spot of the recovery.

It's a brutal rules break for Pittsburgh. They eventually got stopped on third down, went for it on fourth, and threw an incompletion.

So from the fumble recovery at the 11, they got no points.

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