Botched Rams-Steelers finish shows need for change to NFL replay system
Sean McVay could only look on in disbelief, and that emotion was entirely understandable as the Los Angeles Rams lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a baffling finish that highlighted the need for a change to the NFL's replay system. The Steelers elected to go for it on fourth down with two minutes and 24 […]
Sean McVay could only look on in disbelief, and that emotion was entirely understandable as the Los Angeles Rams lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a baffling finish that highlighted the need for a change to the NFL's replay system.
The Steelers elected to go for it on fourth down with two minutes and 24 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Week 7 encounter and Pittsburgh nursing a 24-17 lead. Kenny Pickett appeared to be stopped with his knee down short of the line to gain following a quarterback sneak, only for the officials to give Pittsburgh a very favorable spot.
A subsequent measurement gave the Steelers the first down and the Rams, with no timeouts remaining, were unable to challenge a play not subject to automatic review as it happened outside of the two minute warning.
It left the Rams powerless as the Steelers kneeled out the victory despite appearing not to have gained the yardage to keep their drive alive.
Beyond the implications for the seasons of the Rams and the Steelers, it is a sequence that raises a league-wide question about the replay system in such scenarios.
If there is obviously significant doubt about the on-field call, surely concern for getting the right decision should trump the technicalities of the challenge system?
The logical answer is that it should. Primacy must be given to coming to the right call. In a sport where games are so often decided by such fine margins, it appears that, in sequences like the wild ending at SoFi Stadium, the wrong thing is being prioritized.
Of course, the NFL does have the power to make changes in the offseason and, on the evidence of the finale in Los Angeles, it is time for a rethink.
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