In a moment that left fans scratching their heads and coaches shaking theirs, a key officiating blunder briefly gave the Broncos a lifeline they probably didn’t deserve.
The play in question unfolded with Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham under heavy pressure. Trying to escape the rush, Stidham flung a two-handed backward pass - a desperation move more than a designed play. Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder scooped up the loose ball and cruised into the end zone for what looked like a clear defensive touchdown.
But then came the confusion.
On the field, the officials initially ruled it a forward pass, calling intentional grounding on Stidham. That call would’ve meant the ball was dead the moment it hit the turf, negating the Patriots' return. But after a brief conference, referee Alex Kemp announced a change: the crew had determined it was actually a backward pass, recovered by New England.
Here's where things got messy.
Because the officials had already blown the whistle prematurely - under the assumption it was a forward pass - the play was ruled dead. That meant Ponder’s touchdown didn’t count. The Patriots got the ball, but not the six points they earned with their hustle and awareness.
Now, in situations like this, the best practice is to let the play unfold. If it turns out the pass was forward, replay can fix it.
But if it’s backward, as it clearly was here, you’ve preserved the live-ball opportunity for the defense. Instead, the quick whistle robbed New England of a defensive score.
To be clear, the Patriots didn’t let the moment derail them. They punched it in on the ensuing short drive, so the blown call didn’t swing the outcome. But that doesn’t erase the mistake - or the fact that it could’ve been a much bigger deal in a closer game or higher-stakes moment.
What added to the confusion was the lack of a clear explanation, both from the officiating crew and the broadcast. For seasoned fans, it was a frustrating misstep.
For casual viewers, it was downright baffling. Plays like this are why transparency and clarity from officials matter - not just for fairness on the field, but for the fans trying to follow what’s happening.
Bottom line: the refs got the call right - eventually - but not before blowing the whistle too soon and taking a touchdown off the board. It didn’t change the result, but it’s the kind of moment that sticks with players, coaches, and fans alike.