Calvin Johnson’s Fumble, Officiating Error Costly in Detroit Lions’ Loss to Seahawks
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Lions looked to be heading in for what might have ended up a game winning touchdown, then it was all over in the blink of an eye.
It was a game filled with more offensive frustration but with the Lions’ defense putting in a en effort reminiscent of 2014, the Lions trailed just 13-10 and found themselves inside the red zone with less than two minutes to play.
Matthew Stafford found Calvin Johnson, who turned, ran and looked like he might score. But instead of punching in a touchdown to take the lead, Kam Chancellor punched the ball out of Megatron’s hands before the ball broke the plane of the end zone.
Out the back of the end zone went and there went the Lions’ chances to pull off the upset.
0-4.
What hurts even more is that Johnson didn’t need to do anything but cover up the football. He had much more than was needed to covert the third and one, so the Lions could have had the ball first and goal at the one yard line had Johnson been able to cover secure the football while absorbing the hit.
Now it’s just another unbelievable chapter in Detroit Lions history that can only be explained by it being part of Detroit Lions history. To add insult to injury, the Seahawks player batting the ball out of the end zone should have been flagged to negate the turnover.
Tirico just said they talked to Dean Blandino, who agreed it should've been an illegal bat and remained Lions ball.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 6, 2015
#NFL tells ESPN Lions should have been given the ball goal to go in Seattle. Back judge makes wrong call in same end zone as #FAILMARY. Wow.
— Mike Clemens (@MikeClemensNFL) October 6, 2015
"It should have been 1st and goal for the Lions at the 6 inch line" - @MikePereira on @FOXSportsLive NOW pic.twitter.com/HfLNvvWFl7
— FS1 (@FS1) October 6, 2015
Maybe the NFL will issue and official apology. Maybe they won’t. It doesn’t really matter at this point.
The Lions return home and will look for their first win of the season ina week five game against the Arizona Cardinals.