Rams fans took to social media to decry how Los Angeles' 30-26 loss against the Denver Broncos played out, with many calling a DPI late in the fourth quarter the wrong call
Fans were livid to see that the Los Angeles Rams were penalized for a defensive pass interference against the Denver Broncos
Fans were livid to see that the Los Angeles Rams were penalized for a defensive pass interference against the Denver Broncos(Image: Peacock)
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Fans were livid to see that the referees missed a crucial call in the Denver Broncos' 30-26 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
With just over one minute remaining in the fourth quarter and the Broncos down 26-23, Denver's Bo Nix found Pat Bryant II on the sideline being defended by Los Angeles cornerback Josh Wallace. There was a high level of contact between Wallace and Bryant, with the former appearing to intercept the ball, essentially giving the Rams the win.
However, the officials reviewed the play, and despite Bryant seemingly flailing while also grabbing onto Wallace's right sleeve, Los Angeles was called for defensive pass interference, giving the ball back to Denver. The moment came after Cris Collinsworth left fans scratching their heads after a confusing back-and-forth.
After the play, a fan posted on X, "The NFL is so rigged that’s a pick. You can’t call pass interference on a guy undercutting the route. The receiver initiated contact. Rigged." A second posted on X, "This should have been a game sealing interception for the Rams. Instead, it’s pass interference. Another BRUTAL mistake by the refs this week."
Another wrote, "As much as the refs going to replay for everything is annoying, this 100% should be a reviewable call Ref throws an egregious flag on a play he can’t actually see & the result of the game is changed Clear & obvious error we can all see but is just ignored with the game on the line."
Even NFL legend Richard Sherman had to share his thoughts, backing Wallace and putting the onus on better officiating moving forward. "That was not PI?!!! That was an INT!!! This stuff is so ridiculous sometimes. So hard to play defense in this league," his post on X read.
Josh Wallace appeared to have snared the ball from Pat Bryant II, though the call went in favor of the Denver Broncos
Josh Wallace appeared to have snared the ball from Pat Bryant II, though the call went in favor of the Denver Broncos(Image: Peacock)
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ESPN's Sarah Barshop also noted that the Rams being called for five penalties in the final two minutes of the game is tied for the most by any team since 2000. In the end, the Broncos used that extra possession to set up a play, with Nix eventually scoring the game-winning touchdown.
After the game, Los Angeles star Aaron Donald was asked about the play and all the 35-year-old could do was look ahead to the Rams' next practice as he stated the official made a call that they believed was right and there was nothing left to do about it.
"Well, the ref called what he called and can't do nothing now," he said to reporters in the locker room. "You know, woulda, shoulda, coulda, but it is what it is."
Rams head coach Sean McVay briefly spoke on the loss, though he did not make excuses or point fingers at the officiating crew for how the game turned out.
"Yeah, it's tough, you know what?" he said to the few media members during his postgame press conference.
"But this is sports, you sign up for all of it. And love our group, just came up short. Give the Broncos credit, they found a way to get it done. We'll look at ourselves and figure out how we can improve."
Donald shared a similar sentiment to McVay, telling reporters, "They just made plays. They just made more plays than what we did and found a way to win. I don't really know right now, I'm a little upset. So just wanna watch this film, get over it, and move on to next week, so, yeah."
The Rams are back in action against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.