The Minnesota Vikings still had a chance to tie the score in Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, but any hopes of a late comeback were dashed by what looked to be a missed call.
They had to march the entire length of the field to score and add a two-point convert to force OT with the Vikings on their five-yard line and 1:36 left in the game. However, Rams linebacker Byron Young intercepted quarterback Sam Darnold in the end zone on second and ten.
It appeared that the Vikings quarterback’s facemask brought him down, but Young hauled him down for what was deemed a safety. The Rams increased their lead to 10 points and went on to win because the officials didn’t agree and no flag was thrown. Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings is sacked by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young (right) for a contentious safety. Images by Kirby Lee-Imagn Images by Kirby Lee-Imagn Here is a review of the relevant play:
According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, referee Tra Blake was questioned about the facemask no-call after the game and made an effort to clarify. “Well, on that play, the quarterback was facing the opposite direction from me, so I did not have a good look at it,” Blake explained. “I did not have a look, and I did not see the facemask being pulled, obviously.” “The quarterback was unable to see it because the umpire placed teammates in between him. So was he blocked out. The problem was that we couldn’t call it because we couldn’t see it. We were unable to see it.
Blake noted that the officiating crew “did discuss” the play and whether a penalty was called, but they were unable to make the call because they did not witness it on the field. Blake also verified that the play was not reviewable.