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 With the Lions trailing by three in the final two minutes, Detroit
wide receiver Calvin Johnson fumbled the ball one yard from a
touchdown and Seattle linebacker K.J. Wright appeared to
intentionally bat the ball out of the back of the end zone for a
touchback.
By rule, it is illegal for a player to intentionally bat the ball
while in the end zone.
But the Seahawks were not penalized, and instead were awarded the
possession and the chance to run the clock out on their victory.
"It is a questionable play because it was a batted ball, but that
goes upstairs (for review) so there's nothing you can do about it,"
Lions coach Jim Caldwell told reporters.
"What can you do? You're not going to cry about it, that's for
sure."
In the aftermath of questions and head-scratching, NFL vice
president of officiating Dean Blandino issued a statement, saying:
"Judgment call on the field. Back judge felt it wasn't overt. That's
why he didn't call it on the field."
But most watching the play felt it was overt, including Seahawks
coach Pete Carroll who admitted as much.
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"He was trying to knock it out," Carroll said. "It's a very rare
situation. It's unfortunate the official didn't know how to (call
it) for their sake. You're going to hear about that one."
It was particularly devastating for the Lions who fell to 0-4.
Detroit were also on the wrong end of a controversial play in the
playoffs last season when a late pass interference call was reversed
and led to them losing to the Dallas Cowboys.
"I've been a part of a couple (questionable calls) at the end of
ball games," said Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford.
"Doesn't make me feel much better. Doesn't put a win in the win
column for us."
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles, editing by Sudipto
Ganguly)
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