Several fans were left scratching their heads over a questionable fumble recovery ruling made late in Thursday night’s game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Falcons trailed the Buccaneers 28-26 with about five minutes left at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Facing 2nd-and-10 just outside the red zone, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins found wide receiver Darnell Mooney in motion near the first-down marker.
Mooney got mobbed by several Buccaneers defenders and ended up fumbling near the 10. Despite a sea of Tampa Bay players surrounding the loose pigskin during the play, referees somehow ruled it Atlanta’s ball.
The NFL posted a snapshot of the play showing six Buccaneers defenders ready to pounce on the ball as Mooney lay helpless on the ground.
The Falcons recovered this fumble 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FELRlqS1ft
— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025
The Prime broadcast failed to capture a conclusive angle that clearly showed who recovered the fumble. The referees eventually ruled it Atlanta’s ball, allowing the Falcons to score a critical touchdown.
Somehow the Buccaneers did not recover this fumble… pic.twitter.com/h19mwFVQZ2
— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) December 12, 2025
Some fans questioned the ruling, with many calling the game rigged as a result.
NFL is Rigged! Did They Just Rig this Fumble Recover by the Buccaneers? pic.twitter.com/7fnRnhEn2S
— Vic Monte (@TheVicMonte) December 12, 2025
Can someone explain how the bucs got a fumble recover on The falcons and the refs randomly call it was a “tie” so Falcons still get poss? is no one going to question that? My entire life a fumble at the bottom of a pile was about WHO COMES UP with it. Bucs get it but it’s a tie?
— aaron maze (@SportsRRigged) December 12, 2025
NFL is fixed I just watched a fumble from the falcons and all tampa all over the ball and somehow the Falcons came up with the ball
— Rev. Steve Mac (@Mackjack7777) December 12, 2025
NFL is so rigged how is that Atlanta ball on the fumble
— Chan (@ChantanamoBay) December 12, 2025
The Buccaneers would have been in a prime position for the victory had the fumble ruling been in their favor. The home team would have had a 28-20 lead and possession late in a game that was crucial for their playoff hopes.
Instead, the Falcons escaped with the fumble recovery and the 29-28 win. The ruling may have been karmic justice after Atlanta was burned by another questionable call earlier in the game.
