Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens. (Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)
Justin Tucker’s miraculous game-winning field goal was set up by a botch job from the officials.
For as cool as Justin Tucker’s game-winning 66-yard field goal to shock the Detroit Lions was, the NFL officials completely botched the previous play to allow the Baltimore Ravens the opportunity to even win it.
It should have been a delay of game on the Ravens offense, as the play clock was well past zero before the ball was snapped and Lamar Jackson threw it out of bounds. That should have been a five-yard penalty, which means Tucker would have had to make a 71-yard kick. While he of all people could have been the one to make the kick, he would have missed it one yard further back.
Baltimore is 2-1 on the season, but the Lions got completely hosed in this one to fall to 0-3.
Dan Campbell wasn’t amused.
Baltimore Ravens get away with delay of game penalty before Justin Tucker kick
Football is a game of inches, and the result of this Week 3 game between the Ravens and the Lions is further proof of that notion. While the Ravens are among the gold standard in the league when it comes to special teams, the Lions should have a win by now for new head coach Dan Campbell. There are teams that have played worse than them who have already won two games.
For as great as the kick was, the officials played a huge part in the opportunity presenting itself.