A historic drop in penalty kicks has helped reduce the spotlight on NFL service in 2020. So too the abolition of the repetition of the repetition of pass interference. But the advent of post-soccer football has explored every dubious call, interpretation of rules and review.
No problem. We are here for you. Following is a real-time breakdown of the calls for which you shook your head, shouted at the television or otherwise got confused during the game card round. The most recent plays are at the top.
Rams RB Cam Akers’ fiddle reversed
Rams-Seahawks game card game, 46 seconds left in first half
What happened: Officials ruled that the Seahawks ‘defensive end Carlos Dunlap had stripped Akers’ ball after a three-yard run. The difficult recovery was attributed to Seahawks cornerback Ryan Neal, who gave Seattle the ball on the Rams’ 26-yard line.
How it was solved: The call was reversed in the review of the iteration. The NFL ruled that Akers had no more contact before he stumbled, and the Rams retained their possession.
Analysis: The league finally got the game right, but like several other calls we saw over the course of the wildcard weekend, it was hard to believe that NFL-caliber officials would see this play as a hoax. Akers was lying on his back, with the ball tightly in his arm, when Dunlap first tried to strip the ball. At least one official initially dismissed Akers, but he was dominated. It is always possible that views are blocked, and sometimes, when in doubt, officials manage a turnover to ensure that it can be properly reconsidered via automatic review.
But in this case, the repetition could have revisited the play, regardless of whether there were less than two minutes left. It was the kind of decision that weakened confidence in the overall competence of the business.
Officials raise the flag on the hit against Rams QB’s head
Rams-Seahawks game card game, 5:40 left in first quarter
What happened: As the Rams’ fullback John Wolford dives to the ground after a two-yard run, Jamal Adams, the safety of the Seahawks, drops his right shoulder and hits Wolford in the head. Officials initially threw a flag against Adams. Wolford left the game and was replaced by Jared Goff.
How it was solved: Referee John Hussey announced that there would be no penalty because Wolford is considered a runner and therefore not subject to protection normally offered to quarterbacks.
Analysis: It’s true that Wolford would not get any quarterback protection on the play, but the original flag was still deserved. According to the NFL Rule Book, according to the NFL rule, it’s still an unnecessary rudeness, because Wolford dives to the ground and therefore gives himself up. This means that he is classified as a defenseless player, and that opponents are prohibited from hitting the head or neck of such players by force. It was the second consecutive year that the Seahawks hit a starting quarterback in a playoff game with a header. In that case, Jadeveon Clowney’s hit on Eagles full-back Carson Wentz is considered accidental and not violent. According to a Rams spokesman, Wolford has meanwhile been taken to hospital for precautionary measures.
How was it not a scramble through the Colts?
Colts-Bills game card game, 50 seconds left in fourth quarter
What happened: On the fourth and tenth of the Colts ‘final possession of the game, receiver Zach Pascal was charged with a 17-yard catch and he fell at the Bills’ 46-yard line. Pascal gets up and fiddles, which was restored by the bills in a play that ended the match. However, officials on the field ruled that Pascal was under contact after initially falling.
How it was solved: Sean McDermott, coach of the Bill, called a timeout when the Colts quickly came to the line of fright, but he could not challenge because there were less than 2 minutes left. During the timeout, NFL senior vice president Al Riveron reviewed the call. It was not immediately clear whether his review stopped the game, or that it was McDermott’s timeout. Regardless, referee Brad Allen announced that the call would stand without further explanation.
Analysis: The NFL said on Twitter that no clear and obvious evidence was available to reverse the decision, and that no pool report was requested in Buffalo to explain further. Repetitions seem to confirm that Pascal was not contacted before he got up, and that he was not down when he lost the ball. We will update this post if the NFL or Riveron provide any further explanation. But according to all available evidence at the time, the Bills should have been acquired. If the Colts returned to draw or win the game – the Bills won 27-24 – this decision would be heavily investigated.
In #INDvsBUF, the verdict on the field is that the runner was through contact. There was no clear and distinct visual evidence to reverse the ruling, so it stands. pic.twitter.com/1QmUW2Sjcj
– NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) 9 January 2021
The clock runs out of bounds
Colts-Bills game card game, 26 seconds left in fourth quarter
What happened: The game clock continued after Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. knocked out of bounds.
How it was solved: The clock has not stopped.
Analysis: This play caused quite a stir on social media, but it was appropriate game administration. An out-of-bounds fumbling is not the same as an out-of-bounds player. According to the NFL Rulebook: “If a whispered or backhand pass by any player goes out of bounds, the game clock starts on the referee’s signal that a ball has been returned to the playing field.”
Bills are credited with two catches on the sidelines
Colts-Bills Wild Card Game, Less Than 2 Minutes, Second Quarter
What happened: The reception of bills, Gabriel Davis, was attributed to sideways reception of 37 and 19 meters. In both cases, frame-by-frame repetitions showed that he might not have lowered both feet within limits.
How it was solved: Because there were less than 2 minutes left, the NFL’s official rerun official reviewed reviews of both plays. In both cases, referee Brad Allen only announced that the original call existed. Allen did not explain why there was an official’s hat on the ground, since Davis made the first catch; this often means that a player or players are out of bounds and no longer eligible.
An outrageous tone tap by Gabriel Davis 😳 @ DavisGB1 @BuffaloBills
📺 #INDvsBUF on CBS pic.twitter.com/JPb0PYq5SO
– The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) 9 January 2021
Analysis: You can make a frame-by-frame judgment that Davis’ left foot touches the white part of the sideline after the first catch. The same goes for the second reception, where he may not drag a tone before stepping outside bounds. But the NFL’s repeat system requires a much higher standard than ‘maybe’. It should be ‘clear and obvious’, preferably at a live speed, that Davis stepped out of bounds before gaining possession. If the field decision was incomplete, the review system would probably have maintained it as well.