The NFL made a mistake in reviewing the pass in the Packers vs. game, according to a former top referee.
Dean Blandino, former VP of officiating for the NFL, firmly believes that the officials should have overturned their ruling of a forward pass made by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett during Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. According to Blandino, a replay should have awarded the Packers possession of the ball inside the 5-yard line.
Pickett threw the ball to running back Jaylen Warren in the right flat, but the play was ruled as an incomplete pass. Matt LaFleur, the coach of the Packers, issued a challenge, but the ruling on the field remained unchanged.
Blandino stated that a single angle, a low shot from the 9-yard line, was sufficient evidence to reverse the call. Blandino is convinced that the ball didn’t move forward, but actually moved backward. According to him, one camera angle revealed Pickett releasing the ball from the 9-yard line, while Warren made contact with the ball behind the 9-yard line.
Blandino said he clearly felt it was backward.
The Steelers chose to punt the ball instead, and the Packers ended up going three-and-out on their next possession.
The Packers lost at least three points due to the missed call. The game ended with a four-point loss, and in the final play, the team attempted a desperate shot into the end zone while the Packers were in a good position for a field goal.
“The decision not to overturn the call was inexplicable,” stated Packers coach Matt LaFleur.
