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NFL Senior VP Of Officiating Provides Explanation From Referees For Erroneous Whistle Which Led To Joe Burrow Controversial Touchdown

Published 01/16/2022, 2:40 PM EST

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NFL franchise Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow was on fire during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. The game though had its fair share of refereeing drama when Burrow found Tyler Boyd for a TD pass but was almost out of bounds. This contentious play at the time did prompt a discussion among officials and also did elicit an errant whistle.

If a whistle was blown on the play, it is considered a void play in accordance with the NFL Rulebook. But on this occasion, the officials did allow the sequence to continue. The Bengals did take a 20-6 lead on the throw as the first quarter ended.

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The Bengals have been a team looking to bring back the glory years once again. If Burrow continues to perform in games in this fashion, then the team is in with a great chance. The 31-year streak of losing postseason games is surely going to break with Burrow at the helm.

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The play itself isn’t much of an issue but it is more the erroneous whistle that has become a major point of contention. Even while broadcasting during the game, NBC’s rules expert Terry McAulay did say, “They can’t have a touchdown on that play, by rule.

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Though the Bengals did walk away winners in the clash, the NFL Senior VP of Officiating was seen answering some serious questions. Walt Anderson, post-game, did say in his pool report that the referees did determine after a conference that the whistle came after Boyd had caught the ball.

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USA Today via Reuters

But the play in question and replays of it does contradict his claims and clearly show the whistle being blown before the completion of the catch. It was on the field considered complete, while reviews were for whether Burrow or Boyd stepped out of bounds.

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The play did end up eventually costing Raiders any chance that they have of victory. While the Bengals and their amazing wait for a victory of 31 years do indeed lose its shine a bit amidst all the chaos.

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Written by:

Anuj Tazhatuveetil

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An NFL author at EssentiallySports, Anuj Tazhatuveetil is pursuing a Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Initially, he worked as a freelance content writer and later as a part of Sports404. An unquenchable thirst to learn about all things NFL and NBA, adding to a rather healthy obsession with playing outdoor sports like basketball, and soccer with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of this industry make him a sports aficionado.
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