The 10 Most Impactful Plays From the Conference Championship Round

2. Jesse James Sets Up a Disappointment

Win Probability Change: +6.94% | Win Probability After Play: 26.02%

Not all of the disappointment should rest on Boswell's shoulders, though. The Steelers had a chance later on to make things interesting again thanks to a huge James catch, but they failed to capitalize.

First, though, the positive. Facing 3rd and 8 at New England's 19-yard line, Roethlisberger hit James for what was initially ruled a touchdown. It was overturned, but the Steelers still got the ball at the one-yard line with 6.24 expected points for the drive. Then, they just got punched in the mouth.

Instead of having Roethlisberger sneak it, the first carry went to Williams, who lost a yard. Then they went back to the well with Williams, who proceeded to lose three more yards, pushing the expected points for the drive all the way down to 4.02. An incomplete pass to Rogers followed, and the Steelers officially squandered one of their biggest opportunities of the game. Instead of catapulting their win odds back above 30%, they plodded backwards and settled for a field goal.

Missed chances were a clear theme of the night for Pittsburgh.