The Detroit Lions managed to avoid disaster thanks to a rather unusual assist from the officiating crew.
With halftime approaching, Jared Goff threw a heinous interception that Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson returned for a touchdown. After reviewing the play, however, referees determined that the two-minute warning had occurred before the Lions snapped the football. As such, officials declared the play should not have happened and overturned the interception.
Replay of the snap show that the ball actually left the center's hands before the clock turned from 2:01 to 2:00, meaning the snap and the interception should have stood.
Officials did not reverse their decision, however, and the Lions kept the football. They then went on to score on a jaw-dropping hook and ladder play a few moments later, giving them a 20–10 lead as they entered halftime.
Fans were befuddled over the decisions made by the officials, to not only overturn the interception but then double down on their call despite replay indicating it was incorrect.
omg this should have been a pick-6
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 22, 2024
refs are TERRIBLE pic.twitter.com/6obdHK6oF7
Two minute warning takes a Goff pick six off the board
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) September 22, 2024
The @NFL refs in Arizona literally just took a touchdown off the field for absolutely zero reason. Is the two minute warning at 2:01 now?
— Ryan (@OmaLAW2019) September 22, 2024
Two-minute warning doesn’t technically hit until the millisecond before it goes to 1:59. That very clearly should not have been blown dead.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) September 22, 2024
How on EARTH do you call that the two minute warning ONLY AFTER the ball is intercepted?!?!?! Officiating having some real trouble today #Cardinals #Lions
— Jeff Mans (@Jeff_Mans) September 22, 2024
Arizonas defensive TD gets called back because of the two minute warning, despite the ball clearly being snapped at 2:01?
— 𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙚 (@verysadvikings) September 22, 2024
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Referees Bizarrely Overturn Jared Goff Pick-Six, and NFL Fans Were Befuddled.
