In the Week 14 showdown between the Ravens and the Steelers, the spotlight was unfortunately shared by the officials, who made several pivotal errors. Initially, the NFL admitted to one mistake, but as of today, they've acknowledged another.
First up, the league conceded post-game that the unnecessary roughness penalty on Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones was unwarranted. Fast forward to Tuesday, and the NFL confirmed that the replay review, which overturned a Ravens interception by linebacker Teddye Buchanan into a catch by Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, was also a misstep.
Then there's the saga of Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely's controversial touchdown catch. Initially called a touchdown, it was overturned to an incompletion. The NFL's stance remains that the decision was correct, despite ongoing debate about whether Likely completed the process of the catch.
Ravens players have been vocal about these revelations. Quarterback Lamar Jackson took to Twitter, humorously suggesting, "So technically we won? 10-7. 1st offseason win ever."
Linebacker Kyle Van Noy didn't hold back either, expressing disbelief over the league's admission of errors long after the season concluded. He highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting the rarity of the NFL admitting to multiple crucial mistakes in such a high-stakes rivalry game. Van Noy emphasized the need for accountability, pointing out that these errors weren't just minor slip-ups-they potentially altered the playoff landscape, with the Steelers advancing instead of the Ravens.
These officiating blunders didn't just mar a classic AFC North clash; they had significant implications for the division's outcome. The call for greater accountability and accuracy at the highest level of the sport has never been more pressing.