NFL: Referees Botched Call Late in Seahawks/Lions Game

On a critical play late in the Seattle Seahawks victory against the Detroit Lions Monday night, the NFL has admitted the referees missed a big call. The NFL’s Head of Officiating Dean Blandino confirmed that the call made by the back judge on a play inside the two-minute warning was incorrect.

With less than two minutes left, the Detroit Lions were in the midst of a 91-yard drive to win the game. Quarterback Matthew Stafford passed the ball short to Calvin Johnson who took the ball down to the Seattle one yard line. Johnson reached out in an attempt to reach the ball over the plane of the goal line, but a hit by Kam Chancellor knocked the ball loose.

In the back of the end zone, Seahawks defender KJ Wright knocked the ball out of the end zone in an attempt to prevent a Lion from getting the touchdown. The referees ruled it a fumble by Detroit and pronounced it Seattle’s ball.

Former NFL referee Gerry Austin told ESPN after the game that he believes the call on the field was incorrect. The correct call should have been Detroit receiving the ball, not Seattle.

The NFL’s Head of Officiating Dean Blandino appeared on the NFL Network after the game to discuss the call on the field.

Even though there was a turnover on the field, the ball being knocked out was not reviewable. The only aspect that could have been overruled by replay was Calvin Johnson’s fumble near the goal line.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll admitted the Seahawks got away with the bad call, saying that “we were fortunate” in the game.

Coincidentally, the call was made in the exact same end zone (and in a similar spot) where the “Fail Mary” touchdown several years ago gave Seattle a victory under the replacement referees.

The Seahawks revive their season and move to 2-2. They will go on to face the Bengals in Cincinnati on a short week. The winless Detroit Lions will host the tough Arizona Cardinals team at home on Sunday afternoon.

Next: Fantasy Football: Seahawks v. Lions Studs and Duds