|
 Rodgers gunned a 61-yard pass to tight end Richard Rodgers on the
final play to give the Packers a shocking 27-23 win over the Detroit
Lions on Thursday night at Ford Field.
Before the stunning outcome, the Packers needed a big break just to
have a final chance. Detroit defensive end Devin Taylor touched
Rodgers' face mask, drawing a flag. That gave the Packers another
play with time expired.
At full speed, it looked like a clear call as Taylor's hand
connected with Rodgers' face mask. Upon slow-motion review, Taylor's
finger hit the face mask but it may be debatable whether he grasped
or pulled the face mask.
In a tweet issued immediately after the game, NFL vice president of
officiating Dean Blandino defended the face-mask foul by saying an
official "is going to make that call almost every time."
In an appearance on NFL Network after the game, Blandino suggested
that, even if replay reviews were available to overturn the ruling
on the field, it may not have been reversed.
"It's a close play, but even looking at the replay, the hand is up
near the mask, the finger looks like it gets caught in the mask and
the head gets turned," Blandino said.
"So I'm not convinced it wasn't a face mask even looking at the
replay, but live at full speed the referee is going to see that hand
at the mask and the head turn and he's going to make that call every
time."
Taylor said after the game that he did not believe he grabbed
Rodgers' face mask.
"It's whatever the refs call," Taylor said. "I can't control
whatever they decide. I can just play ball, keep going. I didn't
believe I touched it."
- - -
The New York Jets will be without standout cornerback Darrelle Revis
when they face Odell Beckham Jr. and the New York Giants on Sunday.
Revis suffered a concussion on Nov. 22 against the Houston Texans.
He did not practice this week and was officially declared out for
the game on Friday.
- - -
The Pittsburgh Steelers listed Ben Roethlisberger as probable on the
injury report for Sunday night's game against the Indianapolis
Colts.
Roethlisberger passed a concussion test Wednesday morning and has
practiced this week with no setbacks. He was placed in the NFL's
concussion protocol after taking a hit in last Sunday's 39-30 loss
to the Seattle Seahawks.
[to top of second column] |
Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier also is expected to play against
the Colts after suffering a concussion at Seattle that prevented him
from playing all but two defensive series.
- - -
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will not travel with the
team for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers.
Manning has a torn plantar fascia in his left foot and will miss his
third straight contest. He was placed in a cast 10 days ago by a
foot specialist.
Brock Osweiler will again start at quarterback for the Broncos.
Linebacker DeMarcus Ware (back) also will sit out against the
Chargers. It will be the fourth straight game he has missed.
- - -
The Philadelphia Eagles listed quarterback Sam Bradford as probable
and running back Ryan Mathews was ruled out for Sunday's game
against the New England Patriots.
- - -
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was officially ruled
out for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman (foot) also was declared out.
- - -
Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams will miss Sunday's game
against the Houston Texans with a right shoulder injury, coach Rex
Ryan said.
- - -
The Atlanta Falcons activated wide receiver/return specialist Devin
Hester from injured reserve and placed wide receiver Leonard
Hankerson on season-ending IR.
Hester, 33, missed the first 11 games after tearing two ligaments in
his right big toe during the preseason.
- - - (Editing by Andrew Both)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
