NFL admits clock error in Steelers/Packers game

[MrBill]

And yet another situation where poor officiating possibly changes the outcome of a critical game.

Clock early on Packers' final play
Updated: December 27, 2013, 11:09 PM ET
By Rob Demovsky | ESPN.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy was correct when he claimed the officials mishandled the game clock in the final 10 seconds of Sunday's 38-31 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

An NFL spokesperson said on Friday that the game clock was started too soon.

"Due to a miscommunication between members of the officiating crew, the game clock was started prematurely on the final play of the game," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The problem began after referee Carl Cheffers correctly administered a 10-second runoff following a false start penalty on the Packers. Cheffers then gave the signal for the clock to start before umpire Undrey Wash gave Packers center Evan Dietrich-Smith the OK to snap the ball on a second-and-goal play from the 6-yard line.

By the time Wash gave his signal, several seconds had run off the clock.

Both quarterback Matt Flynn and Dietrich-Smith said they were looking at Wash and waiting for him to signal and didn't realize until after the fact that the clock had already started. On the final play of the game, Flynn's pass in the end zone was incomplete.

McCarthy said they should have been able to run two plays in the final 10 seconds. He said he spoke with the league about the matter but would not reveal the details of the conversation.

"We have an opportunity to send in our questions from the game in each and every week like we always do," McCarthy said. "I had a conversation with the league Monday. Those are private conversations. That all took place on Monday."

 

[Maynard]

the officials have been horrible this season. but, its like that every year and nothing changes

 

[Bomberooski]

Sorry for your loss Bill.... Oh wait, no I'm not. I'm not sorry for a thing until the Seahawks become available. :smug:

 

[GoRedRocket]

It's been incredibly disturbing just how bad the official have blatantly missed calls in numerous games this season. Should not have to deal with this on a professional level.

 

[Hasselbeck]

I like how you overlook the gift call they had on the blocked FG and how Matt Flynn missed a wide open Jordy Nelson on this same play you're referencing in the article.

Guess David Stern hates the Spurs and Roger Goodell hates the Packers.

:tiptoe:

 

[MrBill]

I like how you overlook the gift call they had on the blocked FG and how Matt Flynn missed a wide open Jordy Nelson on this same play you're referencing in the article.

Guess David Stern hates the Spurs and Roger Goodell hates the Packers.

:tiptoe:

You are right, it's not like the Steelers won a Super Bowl or anything because of a botched call :lol2:

 

[Bomberooski]

You are right, it's not like the Steelers won a Super Bowl or anything because of a botched call :lol2:

NOT cool Bill. Not cool

 

[MVPete]

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

the officials have been horrible this season. but, its like that every year and nothing changes

They've been flat out horrendous.

Remember when I was pretty much the only rational voice here during the replacement ref games? As bad as those guys were, the real guys aren't barely any better, it's just that stories like this get very little play with the real refs, and every single mistake made by the replacements, minor or major, got huge play in the media because it was an easy talking point.

I can only imagine how huge this Packer story would be had it happened with the replacements. We'd never hear the end of it.

Score another one for W2B.

 

[MrBill]

They've been flat out horrendous.

Remember when I was pretty much the only rational voice here during the replacement ref games? As bad as those guys were, the real guys are barely any better, it's just that stories like this get very little play with the real refs, and every single mistake made by the replacements, minor or major, got huge play in the media because it was an easy talking point.

I can only imagine how huge this Packer story would be had it happened with the replacements. We'd never hear the end of it.

Score another one for W2B.

Don't think that Packers fans have forgotten the Failed Mary play in Seattle that was responsible for the end of the stalemate between the league and the officials union. That play resulted in the Packers having to play a wildcard game instead of getting a bye week and hosting the 49ers (assuming they won wildcard weekend) at Lambeau in the divisional round.

 

[Bomberooski]

Don't think that Packers fans have forgotten the Failed Mary play in Seattle that was responsible for the end of the stalemate between the league and the officials union. That play resulted in the Packers having to play a wildcard game instead of getting a bye week and hosting the 49ers (assuming they won wildcard weekend) at Lambeau in the divisional round.

You guys shouldn't have let Golden Tate catch that TD pass.

 

[Hasselbeck]

Don't think that Packers fans have forgotten the Failed Mary play in Seattle that was responsible for the end of the stalemate between the league and the officials union. That play resulted in the Packers having to play a wildcard game instead of getting a bye week and hosting the 49ers (assuming they won wildcard weekend) at Lambeau in the divisional round.

Forgot that Golden Tate was solely responsible for the Packers losing in Week 17 when they controlled their destiny too. :dd:

The officiating has been downright terrible this year.. no question. But this call you're bringing up really had little to do with the outcome - Matt Flynn should not miss a wide open Jordy Nelson across the middle of the end zone no matter what happens.