5 most questionable calls by NFL referees 

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant

1999 Wild Card Round - Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills - The Music City Miracle

Tennessee Titans celebrate a victory
Tennessee Titans celebrate a victory

The Buffalo Bills kicked a field goal to take a 16-15 lead over the Tennessee Titans with 16 seconds remaining in the game during the 1999-2000 NFL Playoffs. The Titans returned the subsequent kickoff all the way for a game-winning touchdown, albeit in controversial fashion.

youtube-cover

The Bills squibbed the kick, which was fielded by Lorenzo Neal, who quickly handed it to Frank Wycheck. He threw the ball all the way across the field to Kevin Dyson, who took it all the way to the end zone. The "lateral" looked like it could have been an illegal forward pass, but after a long booth review, it was not overturned as it was inconclusive.

2014 Divisional Round - Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant

The Dallas Cowboys trailed the Green Bay Packers late in the fourth quarter of the Divisional Round game during the 2014 NFL Playoffs. Quarterback Tony Romo led the Cowboys on a potential comeback drive into Packers territory before one of the most controversial plays.

youtube-cover

Romo lobbed a beautiful pass down the sidelines near the Packers' end zone, giving wide receiver Dez Bryant an opportunity to make a spectacular catch. Bryant did just that, leaping over cornerback Sam Shields.

After a review, the refs ruled that Bryant failed to secure the ball before hitting the ground. The NFL office admitted three years later that the referees got the call wrong.

2001 Divisional Round - New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders - The Tuck Rule

The Tuck Rule, Image Credit: Pats Pulpit
The Tuck Rule, Image Credit: Pats Pulpit

The Tuck Rule game is one of the most infamous in NFL history. The New England Patriots were trailing the Oakland Raiders with less than two minutes remaining in a 2001 Divisional Round game. Tom Brady was driving the Patriots down the field when Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson forced a fumble, which would have ended the game.

After a review, the referees overturned the call, ruling that Tom Brady had begun a forward motion and by the nature of "The Tuck Rule," deemed it an incomplete pass rather than a fumble. The Patriots went on to win the game and eventually the Super Bowl. Tom Brady recently admitted that the play "might have been a fumble."

Quick Links