After a tough 27-22 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens are feeling the weight of missed opportunities. A pivotal moment came when a touchdown catch by Isaiah Likely was ruled incomplete, raising eyebrows among players and fans alike.
Initially, the referees ruled that Likely scored on a 13-yard pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson. This would have given the Ravens a late-game lead. There was celebration on the field, but cheers turned to confusion when referee Alex Moore later announced the catch was overturned. Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. managed to knock the ball loose before Likely could firmly secure it.
Jackson expressed his disappointment but also acceptance of the call. “The refs made the call they wanted. I can’t do their job,” he said. The analysis of the play reveals the intricate rules of catching a football in the NFL. According to Mark Butterworth, the NFL’s vice president of instant replay, control of the ball is a crucial factor. Likely had two feet down but lost the ball before completing the catch.
In the locker room, players like running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver Rashod Bateman felt the call should have gone their way. Likely, however, chose not to voice his opinion on the matter, stating, “We have to live with what the referees say.”
Interestingly, Harbaugh, the Ravens’ coach, was more frustrated with another overturned call earlier in the game. With just over six minutes left, it was claimed that linebacker Teddye Buchanan intercepted a pass, but this too was changed to a completion by Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. According to Butterworth, the offensive player maintained control until hitting the ground, which ultimately led to the reversal.
This loss is tough for the Ravens, who now find themselves one game behind the Steelers for the top spot in the AFC North. Baltimore’s playoff chances have dropped to 31%, a concern supported by recent ESPN Analytics data.
Jackson’s frustration was evident when he reflected on previous games, including another loss against the Bengals. “We shouldn’t have lost that one either. It’s been tough,” he admitted.
As the Ravens regroup, it’s clear that every call and play counts in this fiercely competitive league. With just a few weeks left in the season, the pressure is on to turn things around. NFL fans will be watching closely as the team strives to get back in the playoff race.
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