Sunday night’s instant classic between the Rams and Broncos had everyone talking, not just about the incredible game, but about a truly wild, back-to-the-future moment. With the game absolutely on the line, we saw teams coached by Sean McVay and Sean Payton caught up in a potential pass interference situation, and man, did it stir up some debate.
History Repeating Itself on the Field
You know that controversial non-call from the 2018 NFC Championship involving the Rams and Saints? The one that happened just outside the L.A. five-yard line? Well, get this: Sunday night’s controversial call happened in virtually the exact same spot on the field. Talk about déjà vu, right? It was Rams defensive back Josh Wallace going up against Broncos receiver Pat Bryant, with the whole game hanging in the balance. There were definitely different opinions flying around after the play. Some fans, and even some analysts, saw clear interference. Others didn’t see it that way at all. But when you look at what actually went down, it really makes you wonder how it wasn’t called.
The Rulebook Doesn’t Lie: That Was Contact
So, let’s break down what happened there, because the rules are pretty clear. Personally, I saw interference. Rams defensive back Josh Wallace clearly used his right hand to shove Broncos receiver Pat Bryant just before that ball even arrived. And when you check the operative rule, which lists seven different prohibited acts for a defender when the ball is in the air, the very first one nails it: “Contact by a player who is not playing the ball that restricts the opponent’s opportunity to make the catch.” If that ball is coming in, and a defender shoves the receiver away from it, common sense screams that’s contact that absolutely restricts his chance to make the catch. The only question left in that situation is whether Wallace was truly “playing the ball.” From my vantage point, it looked like a clear shove, and the rule seems to back that up.
This kind of call, or non-call, can swing a game, and it shows just how much these small moments matter in the NFL. It’s the kind of play that fans will be debating for weeks, shaping how we think about officiating in those crunch-time situations. What a crazy finish to a wild game!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply