Bill Belichick gives his verdict on controversial Matthew Stafford call during Rams-Vikings game
University of North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick responded to one of the most controversial calls of the NFL playoffs after an incident occurred Monday night.
In the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was pressured and taken to the ground by the Minnesota pass rush.
Just before he hit the ground, he let go of the football. It was picked up by Minnesota and run back for what was believed to be the tying touchdown.
However, officials overturned their ruling on the field, saying Stafford made a forward throwing motion as he was going to the ground. They ruled it an incomplete pass and made it 2nd and 10.
It was a controversial decision to make. Not only was the fumble reversed and the touchdown taken off the board, but the officials also decided not to call an intentional grounding penalty – which would have applied because Stafford was in the pocket and not to a particular wide receiver in the area seemed to throw.
Speaking on the Manningcast on ESPN2, Belichick believed that play was a clear sign of the NFL’s move from balanced play to rules that allow fouls.
The officials ruled the play to be an incomplete pass by Matthew Stafford (center), not a fumble
UNC coach Bill Belichick lamented the decision, saying the NFL is now “an offensive league.”
As both Peyton and Eli Manning showed shocked faces as the officials reversed their decision, Belichick said, “It’s an offensive league, what are you guys doing?
“There are no rules to help defenses in the NFL. You can get away with that and call it an incomplete pass.”
Belichick then told the two quarterback brothers, “It’s an offensive league, you guys have to coach defense in the NFL, you know how it is.”
The overturned call appears to have been the turning point in the game. Although LA didn’t score on their second opportunity, the Vikings’ offense did nothing to improve their standing.
By the end of the first half, the Rams had turned their 10-3 lead at the time of the overturned call into a 24-3 advantage and it didn’t appear they would relinquish that lead anytime soon.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold turned the ball over just once on an interception, but he was sacked six times in the first half alone. It’s the most sacks by an NFL quarterback in the first half of a playoff game in the last 25 years.
One of those sacks was a scoop-and-score – where the ball was forced out by Rams cornerback Akhello Witherspoon, recovered by Rams defensive back James Verse, and returned 57 yards for a touchdown to go up 17-3.
Just before halftime, Stafford found tight end Davis Allen in the end zone to gain three possessions.