You're right. There is nothing wrong with what Tomlin said except his facts..
The Steelers didn't "SPOT" the Patriots a Day and a Half. The Patriots EARNED that by virtue of beating punk ass teams like the Steelers during the Regular Season. Also, it's not like the Steelers had any control of the weather (the reason for the game being pushed back).
With Antonio Brown posting it to Facebook Live, it already isn't taking a low profile.
The ONLY thing that the Steelers had a choice with is that they were getting back at 4 am Monday Morning. That's on the Steelers. They could have flown back this morning instead, letting the players rest in the hotel rooms..
This is correct. You want to cut your travel time? Get home team advantage. You know, the Pats have done better with HFA... I'd expect the Stillers to as well, of course the sample size is much smaller
All else aside, they are an inspiration for the end of my life, when - unless Brady is actually a robot - I will have to root for a resurgent dynasty (unless of course this one just goes unabated for three decades or so)... they actually got back to relevance decades after their glory days in the 70s. Good for them. Similar to the Pack of the 60s being resurrected with Favrevruh and now Rogers. Good for them too.
But this year's Stillers are complaining about conditions in advance of the game. I do not know whether I've ever seen the Patriots complain about "spotting" an opponent a few days, a few draft picks, etc. Not from the official podium speakers.
Aside from the "bad form" and "creating distractions" issue, it puts you in the mind-set of having an excuse if you lose. Ah we're all set with our pre-scuse. The odds were overwhelming, etc.
You have created 2 narratives:
1) We overcame monumental odds, and
2) Nobody could expect us to win anyway.... we should get credit for even getting close. And then we can claim the Patriots cheated somehow, because, the Patriots.
Go ahead, have your players walk around with those two narratives in their minds all week.
I'd prefer
(1) Must Win.
(2) See (1).