There was a controversial ending in Sunday’s Seahawks-Rams game after the Rams appeared to lose a fumble that the referees said they recovered.
St. Louis had a 3rd-and-1 from their 45 with 1:14 left in the game. They were trying to hold on to a 28-26 lead and gave the ball to Tre Mason, who broke for a first down. Mason had the ball stripped by Malcolm Smith and it started bouncing around on the turf. Rams tight end Cory Harkey appeared to jump on the ball at first, but it squirted out and then it looked like Richard Sherman had it.
It’s unclear who recovered the ball, but the referees determined that the Rams maintained possession, allowing them to kneel out the clock on the next play and win the game. Replays shown on TV made it difficult to know who recovered the ball:
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll bolted up the sidelines asking for a review of the play and never got one. FOX’s Mike Pereira says he would have asked for a review, but he doesn’t think the play would have been overturned.
The recovery of a fumble in the field of play could have been reviewed in STL.
Replay official decided not to buzz down. I would have.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 19, 2014
There wasn't a look to show it was a clear recovery however.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 19, 2014
Seattle, I appreciate your passion but it wouldn't have been reversed in review
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 19, 2014
Current NFL VP of Officiating Dean Blandino says there was no evidence the Seahawks recovered the fumble.
At end of #SEAvsSTL we looked at all available angles. No evidence of who recovered ball. Ball still loose and then went into pile.
— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) October 19, 2014
Player coming out of pile w/loose ball is not a clear recovery. Need video evidence of him gaining possession. Play was reviewed in NY.
— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) October 19, 2014
For those asking it was ruled a fumble, not down. Officials ruled STL recovery so by rule ball comes back to spot of fumble.
— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) October 19, 2014
GIFs via SB Nation
