The Denver Broncos’ offense had zero juice in a scoreless first half against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Week 3. Denver came out of halftime to somehow steal a 30-26 victory in the final game, but after the game most people were still talking about the controversial calls against the Rams late in the game.
The fourth quarter was electric, with both teams making big plays. With the Rams leading by three points with two minutes left, the officials made a call that changed the score. Broncos QB Bo Nick threw to the sideline looking for receiver Pat Bryant, but Rams defensive end Josh Wallace intercepted the pass. This basically won the game for Los Angeles. Instead, the officials called it defensive pass interference, which gave Denver a first down and set up the game-winning TD.
Watch the game here. Are the references entered correctly?
NBC went to rules commentator Terry McAulay, who said Wallace should not have interfered with Bryant during the play. McAulay also pointed out that he caught Bryant Wallace during the throw.
“I didn’t see the quarterback do anything to significantly disrupt the receiver on this play,” McAulay said. Here’s another look at the game:
Bryant did an amazing job selling this call. You feel it is downright unethical. The authorities have to get this right at this moment, and it looks like they blew it.
The Broncos took the lead on a Knicks one-yard QB sneak with 47 seconds left. Matthew Stafford led the Rams down the field, but the game ended with an interception in the end zone on the last rush.
DPI wasn’t the only important call to make with the Rams late in the game. The Rams were called for five free throws in the final two minutes, the most by any team since 2000.
Here’s a snippet of the conversation after the defensive pass interference call on Wallace was stolen and the Rams won.