Missed Face Mask Call Costs Vikings in Tight Rams Thriller
The Los Angeles Rams emerged victorious in a thrilling 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football, but the final play of the game was marred by a controversial missed call. With the Vikings trailing by eight points and time running out, a crucial face mask penalty on Rams linebacker Byron Young went uncalled, effectively sealing the Rams’ victory.
A Clear-Cut Misjudgment
Down 30-22 with 1:46 left on the clock, the Vikings desperately needed a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to force overtime. However, Young’s sack of quarterback Sam Darnold, during which he clearly grabbed Darnold’s face mask, was ruled a safety, extending the Rams’ lead to 32-22.
Replay footage unequivocally showed Young twisting Darnold’s head 90 degrees to the left as he brought him down. The blatant infraction left both Vikings players and coaches visibly frustrated, while NFL fans on social media erupted in outrage.
Unfortunately, face-mask penalties are not reviewable, leaving the Vikings with no recourse to challenge the call.
Officials Admit to Missing the Call
Referee Tra Blake, speaking to a pool reporter, acknowledged that the officials missed the face mask.
“Well, on that play, the quarterback was facing the opposite direction from me so I did not have a good look at it. I did not have a look, and I did not see the facemask being pulled, obviously. The umpire had players between him and the quarterback, so he did not get a look at it. He was blocked out as well. So that was the thing, we did not see it so we couldn’t call it.”
This admission further highlighted the severity of the missed call and fueled the debate surrounding the NFL’s officiating.
Calls for Reviewable Face Masks
The incident sparked a familiar online debate about the need for reviewable face mask penalties. Several prominent NFL figures, including JJ Watt and Reid Ferguson, voiced their support for changing the rule:
Can’t see a facemask 3 feet in front of them, but we want refs to decide what is and isn’t a “hip drop” tackle in real time.
😂😂
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 25, 2024
They can review almost everything else but not a game ending face mask call?
Wild.
— Reid Ferguson (@SnapFlow69) October 25, 2024
While the missed call didn’t directly cost the Vikings the game, it undoubtedly left a sour taste in their mouths and sparked a broader discussion about officiating consistency and the need for potential rule changes.
Should Face Mask Penalties Be Reviewable?
The hotly debated topic of reviewable face mask calls is likely to continue. What do you think? Should the NFL allow for review of these crucial penalties? Share your thoughts in the comments below!