Steelers rookie misplays kickoff as Seahawks win 31-17

PITTSBURGH — A misplayed kickoff by Pittsburgh rookie Kaleb Johnson late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s home opener allowed Seattle to score a rare special teams touchdown and swung momentum in the Seahawks’ 31-17 victory at Acrisure Stadium.

With the game tied 14 early in the fourth quarter, Seahawks kicker Jason Myers booted a field goal to put Seattle up 17-14. On the ensuing kickoff, Myers deliberately landed the ball in the kickoff landing zone between the 20-yard line and the goal line. The ball bounced past Johnson, who had positioned himself as the Steelers’ kick returner, and rolled into the end zone. Under the NFL’s new Dynamic Kickoff rules, a ball that lands in the landing zone then rolls into the end zone remains live unless the receiving team downs it. Seahawks running back George Holani reached the ball and fell on it for a touchdown, giving Seattle a 24-14 lead and ultimately setting the stage for the road win.

“I would not have thought I’d score on kickoff, honestly, but I got my first touchdown on special teams and it’s a blessing,” Holani said, according to the team website. “We go over situations in our special teams meeting every week. ... I knew it was...