NFL executives claim Rams Seahawks had ‘worst official game’ of the year as umpires face intense scrutiny: report

NFL executives claim Rams Seahawks had ‘worst official game’ of the year as umpires face intense scrutiny: report

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Umpires have likely endured criticism from fans, but now they could face scrutiny from executives and coaches across the NFL.

After a series of controversial calls in last week’s pivotal regular season finale between the Rams and Seahawks, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that multiple executives and coaches have been criticized for their referee selection and training process. It calls for major changes in

Officials and coaches believe officials missed several important calls during the game.

Seattle eventually won 19–16 in overtime, ending Detroit Lions playoff hopes.

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No. 5 Jaren Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams gets into an altercation with No. 14 DK Metcalfe of the Seattle Seahawks after a fourth quarter play at Lumen Field in Seattle on Jan. 8, 2023.

No. 5 Jaren Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams gets into an altercation with No. 14 DK Metcalfe of the Seattle Seahawks after a fourth quarter play at Lumen Field in Seattle on Jan. 8, 2023.
(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Schefter also reported that the NFL’s competition committee is aware a source told ESPN that it was “the worst official game of the year.”

The call in question appeared to benefit the Seahawks but not the Lions.A loss in Seattle gave Detroit a chance to claim the final wild card playoff spot in the NFC. It must have been.

49ERS dominates Seahawks in second half to advance to NFL playoffs

The Lions went on to beat the Packers on Sunday night, even though they already knew the team was out of the postseason.

Some are calling for ESPN to make drastic changes to how the league screens, hires and ultimately trains officials to avoid repeating what happened in the Week 18 games. I found out

Baker Mayfield #17 of the Los Angeles Rams passes in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 8, 2023 in Seattle.

Baker Mayfield #17 of the Los Angeles Rams passes in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 8, 2023 in Seattle.
(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

“The Lions should be furious,” a source told ESPN. “It was a terrible way for them to end the season.”

Los Angeles defensive end Jonah Williams was flagged for running into Seattle punter Michael Dixon in the fourth quarter of the Seahawks vs. Rams game.

Lions’ Jamal Williams fined over $18,000 for hip swing touchdown celebration

NFL rules state that a defensive player “contacts the kicker’s kicking foot even if the kicker is in the air” or a defensive player “slides under the kicker and is unable to return both.” states that a collision to the kicker occurs. put your feet on the ground. “

A video replay appeared to show Williams being shoved by Dixon, which nullified the run to the kicker penalty, but officials called the run to the kicker, giving the Seahawks field position. Seattle ended the drive with a game-tying field goal.

League officials told ESPN that they assessed that the umpire who threw the flag was not looking at the right angle and seeing Williams being blocked by Dixon.

In the final seconds of regulation, star defensive back Jaren Ramsey was flagged for the needless roughness of his hit on quarterback Geno Smith. Seahawks wide his receiver DK Metcalf put his finger inside Ramsey’s facemask.

No. 5 Jaren Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams gets into an altercation with No. 14 DK Metcalfe of the Seattle Seahawks after a fourth quarter play at Lumen Field in Seattle on Jan. 8, 2023.

No. 5 Jaren Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams gets into an altercation with No. 14 DK Metcalfe of the Seattle Seahawks after a fourth quarter play at Lumen Field in Seattle on Jan. 8, 2023.
(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Metcalfe was not penalized by the referee for his actions

In overtime, Smith threw an imperfect pass that could have been ruled as an intentional grounding. Smith’s pass landed a few yards short of tight end Noah Fant, the closest eligible pass catcher in the area.

Also during overtime, Quandre Diggs intercepted a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield. Some believed Diggs engaged in provocations after the interception.

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The seventh-seeded Seahawks lost to the 49ers in the wildcard round of the playoffs on Saturday.

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