NFL officials sometimes face scrutiny over their calls during matches. They occasionally acknowledge errors, as seen with the Los Angeles Rams during their game against the Denver Broncos. The league admitted a mistake in the pass interference call against Rams defensive back Josh Wallace.
The error occurred during the Sunday Night Football game, casting doubt over the Rams’ potential victory. Rams coach Sean McVay was informed by the league that Wallace should not have been penalized for defensive pass interference. Although the NFL did not respond to inquiries for confirmation, McVay’s statement stood firm, despite no official word from the league.
The call was particularly damaging, negating a critical interception with just over a minute left to play. The Rams led 26-23 at the time. After the interference call, the Broncos were positioned for a first-and-goal situation, ultimately securing a 30-26 win.
Wallace indeed made contact with Broncos receiver Pat Bryant, but the decision to penalize seemed to contradict typical league practices. Often, the NFL prefers players to resolve games in the final moments rather than officials taking center stage.
Despite the acknowledgment of error, the Rams remain with the loss in the standings, and the Broncos retain their win. There is no redress for the Rams beyond the validation of knowing the call was incorrect.
Referee Bill Vinovich’s crew played a pivotal role in the game’s outcome, but it was NFL officiating expert Terry McAulay who disagreed with the call. McAulay declared it a mistake even amidst his former colleagues.