The BLOWN CALL That CHANGED The 1982 NFL Season | Falcons @ Broncos (1982)

During week 13 (week 5) of the 1982 NFL season, in a game between the Denver Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons, the Broncos were driving down the field in the 4th quarter looking to win the game. What followed was a blown call that was bafflingly bad considering the rules at the time, and a blown call that not only cost the Broncos the game, but impacted the entire playoff picture in the process. This is the story behind the controversial mistake
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#nfl #broncos #nflthrowback #falcons #denver #atlanta #denverbroncos #atlantafalcons #1982 #strike #football #sports #highlights #nflhistory #nflhighlights
Members of the 1982 Falcons:
Dave Smigelsky
Steve Bartkowski
George Roberts
Mike Moroski
Mick Luckhurst
Earl Jones
Lynn Cain
Bobby Butler
Ray Strong
Tom Pridemore
William Andrews
Bo Robinson
Blaine Gaison
Bob Glazebrook
Kenny Johnson
Gerald Riggs
Reggie Brown
Mike Spivey
Buddy Curry
Jim Laughlin
Lyman White
Neal Musser
Fulton Kuykendall
Al Richardson
Jeff Van Note
Joel Williams
Paul Davis
John Scully
Robert Jackson
Mike Zele
Pat Howell
Don Smith
Warren Bryant
Eric Sanders
RC Thielemann
Dave Scott
Mike Perko
Jeff Merrow
Doug Rogers
Mike Kenn
Jeff Yeates
Junior Miller
Billy "White Shoes" Johnson
Stacey Bailey
Floyd Hodge
Alfred Jenkins
Alfred Jackson
Russ Mikeska
Keith Krepfle
William Curran
Clay Brown
Leeman Bennett (head coach)
Members of the 1982 Broncos:
Rich Karlis
Craig Morton
Mark Herrmann
Luke Prestridge
Steve DeBerg
Louis Wright
Aaron Kyle
Sammy Winder
Rick Parros
JT Thomas
Roger Jackson
Mike Harden
Nathan Poole
Steve Trimble
Rob Lytle
Steve Foley
Steve Wilson
Dave Preston
Gerald Willhite
Dennis Smith
Jim Ryan
Bob Swenson
Ken Woodard
Randy Gradishar
Keith Bishop
Rick Dennison
Larry Evans
Tom Jackson
Steve Busick
Mark Merrill
Darren Comeaux
Paul Howard
Tom Glassic
Bill Bryan
Brison Manor
Keith Uecker
Rubin Carter
Dave Studdard
Claudie Minor
Don Latimer
Rulon Jones
Ken Lanier
Greg Boyd
Barney Chavous
Rick Upchurch
Steve Watson
Orlando McDaniel
Wade Manning
Ron Egloff
James Wright
Riley Odoms
Dan Reeves (head coach)

[@ColoradoSportsFan178]

It's crazy how different rules and just 1 play in football can change an entire season! Great video again JG9!

[@epet9396]

This loss for the Broncos assisted in their season ending with a 2-7 record. Their high pick in the next year's draft helped position the Broncos to win the John Elway trade sweepstakes. While we will never know what Bob Irsay was thinking when he did the trade, I would have to think that any Broncos fan alive would take the cyanide pill in regards to losing this game if it helped give them the leg up to have John Elway on their team for the next 16 years.

[@stevenbauer4799]

irsay was probably too drunk to do anything. ernie accorsi handled the trade. irsay is one of the reasons elway wanted no part of colts

[@jab1289]

@@stevenbauer4799 According to Accorsi, Elway called him to smooth things over. Ernie told Irsay about it, and Robert traded Elway right after. That is Ernie's side of the story, though (it is from his book The GM).

[@MarloSoBalJr]

Elway didn't want to play for HC Frank Kush during his stint with the Colts at the time. No matter what, Elway wanted to either get traded or play baseball (which he got draft that previous summer) From there a domino effect led to Irsay uprooting the Colts from Baltimore to Indy and Kush was gone the year after -- or something like that

[@matthewdaley746]

@@MarloSoBalJr I blame, the, city, and, the, state, more, once they tried to enforce, Eminent Domain, his hand, was, forced, and, moving the team, was, only a matter of time, period.

[@derekcabanaw1789]

The Mel Gray phantom touchdown against Washington on Monday night in 1975 comes to mind.

[@TheSonicsean]

I think the 1982 season is just a complete gold mine of content for JG9.

[@johnnysama]

To say that the 1982 Bronco season was a utter disappointment would be an understatement.

[@82dorrin]

1982. The year I was born. Some of my earliest memories involve my Broncos. You could say I bleed orange and blue.

[@SuperNuclearUnicorn]

Might want to get that checked out, blood is mean to be red

[@nasetvideos]

Wow--That's a serious missed called...and talk about impact factor on a season. Great video!

[@kalbuskj31]

Good video. It was the right call at the time and would be an INT now. This call would be a lot closer than portrayed for the simple fact that once possession is established, the play is over and it's a touchdown.

[@marcus813]

That "TD" by Kellen Winslow Sr. added some important context to that play. Denver needed the controversial call in the Atlanta game to go its way and it didn't. Denver would win only one game henceforth.

[@hihunter7]

But the Winslow call was for the Chargers, so it didn't help them win. If that was the TD that lost them the game, and they got the same call against Atlanta, it would've evened out for them, but they won despite the Chargers TD, but lost because of the contraversial int call against Atlanta. I see what you were trying to say, but it worked out the opposite way, not in a balancing fashion. Would've made us feel better about the situation though

[@CTubeMan]

This unofficial Official Jaguar Gator 9 historian will remind everyone you made a video about another big play Bob Glazebrook made that year against the Giants.

[@Jared40]

Sounded like Jack Buck was doing play by play for that game on CBS

[@Bruce12867]

Yes, along with Hank Stram.

[@shanetrimble9265]

Two great ones

[@RalphReagan]

Thanks for the explanation. I was so pissed then I couldn't think right

[@CTubeMan]

(That Guy Alert) I was expecting more of a detailed breakdown of the playoff picture in this video kinda like you did with the Steelers playoff situation later that season.

[@jasont.dingess4985]

I was too, and if the butterfly effect would have changed the Superbowl in any way, but the fun thing about hypotheticals is there really is no wrong answer and now I’ve got something to think about when im bored today. Lol Btw in my opinion Steelers over Broncos.

[@jasont.dingess4985]

Correction, I meant to say the LA Raiders over the Broncos. Lol

[@hihunter7]

Well you were let down... Accept the disappointment, and use your hate to drive your take over of mankind. But please, shut up about it.. angry 😡 👿 😤 🤬

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

I remember just how much the catch rule used to impact plays in a stupid way in my own lifetime. The game that comes to mind for me is Giants / Seahawks in 2005 It’s mostly remembered for the Giants kicker missing 3 field goals. But right before halftime, Jeremy Shockey caught a touchdown that sure didn’t look like it. He got the ball, one foot hit down and the other grazed the ground before the ball was jarred loose. They upheld it as a touchdown on review and to this day, I remember thinking how lucky the Giants were that it was counted

[@mayduck1]

JG9 your comment is spot on about bad calls by officials being a long time problem and not just something that has happened in this century. The 1965 Colts lost a playoff game with a no good field goal that was declared good which helped Green Bay win and the 1977 Houston Oilers and Miami Dolphins lost playoff spots due to bad calls and the Raiders got a bad call that cost them the 1977 AFC Championship game vs Denver.

[@matthewdaley746]

The, bigger, problems facing those Colts, were, a, combination, of, tiebreakers, and, a, nonsensical, Divisional Format, unfamiliar, with, 1977 events, as, for, the Raiders, that, was, Karma, for, the fact that they just didn't take the Colts, seriously, at all, and, ultimateIy, only, won, because, they got terribly careless at the end of regulation, leading, to, "Ghost, To, The, Post."

[@DisRespectoids]

truck move - happens onscreen JG9 ten seconds after the fact - *absolutely naaasty truck move*

[@christopherengel7436]

Those great old Falcons & Broncos uniforms!! Bizarre stupid 80's catch rule! Broncos were probably diplomatic because they spent most of the day trying to give the game away.

[@matthewdaley746]

Its, interpretation/application, hasn't, improved.

[@KN_1]

The biggest game between the Falcons and Broncos with Dan Reeves as a coach.

[@Ericsportstechpro]

As a young fellow broncos fan, I never knew this happened!

[@RetroJR3379]

The Broncos clearly crossed the line before he fumble thats a Touchdown

[@floodsterssportszone3814]

Amazing for someone who didn't start until 11 PM last night 😅

[@robfloyd7389]

In the 1987 strike season, Irving Fryar made an excellent catch down the sideline on a crucial play at Mile High. The replay clearly showed he had possession, and both feet inbounds. But the official who reviewed it did not think so. It was ruled incomplete, Elway's perfect record against New England remains intact(because John never started against Grogan or Flutie), and the Patriots barely missed the playoffs.

[@matthewdaley746]

Patriots have truly had serious trouble, with, the Broncos throughout their history.

[@robfloyd7968]

@@matthewdaley746 In Denver

[@matthewdaley746]

@robfloyd7968 Who cares, having any difficulty, was, simply, more, than, enough, no question.

[@richardadams4928]

I REMEMBER Gene Barth from back in the day. ISTR a Lions player gesticulating to protest a call and hitting him right in the face, inadvertently. Barth dropped to the ground, got back up, mouth bleeding PROFUSELY, and threw the guy out of the game. A Thanksgiving day game, if I'm remembering correctly. Seems like Eddie Payton (Walter's brother) had a big day returning kicks, IIRC.

[@chadwickwhite6107]

How can ONE BLOWN CALL in a game between 2 teams SUCH as the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons who COMBINED are STILL WORSE than a 39.6 and should SPIKE the football into the ground on EVERY single OFFENSIVE play CHANGE a FOOTBALL SEASON?!

[@DolFan316]

It really didn't, that was just classic clickbait all KZbinrs are now required to engage in.

[@markbrian7179]

What is a catch and what isn't a catch has ALWAYS boggled my mind since I started watching the NFL in 1975.

[@andrewm6424]

"Knocking on the doorsteps of a win, and a possible victory." -Official JaguarGator9

[@broncobilly4029]

True, the Broncos may not land Elway in the 83 NFL draft if they win this game in 82. Things usually work out in the end for Denver if you wait long enough.

[@adg2k225]

*More* than 40 years later? Wait, didn’t he say this game took place on December 5, 1982? That is NOT more than 40 years ago and won’t be for nearly 5 months.

[@SkunkApe407]

Dude is talking decades, and you're worrying about months? You're one of THOSE people, huh?

[@freezeYT.]

@@SkunkApe407 😭

[@adg2k225]

@@SkunkApe407 I mean, I’m not wrong, though...😕

[@SkunkApe407]

@@adg2k225 sure, but what is five months when discussing decades? That's the same logic that sees one spending dollars to save dimes.

[@DolFan316]

@@SkunkApe407 I personally know people who will see an item in one store, but instead of buying it there will drive across town to buy it somewhere else for maybe 20 cents less, not even realizing they're using up enough gas money to get to store #2 that they're actually losing money on the deal.

[@trajan0707]

I remember watching this game, as Falcon fan, how many times on one drive we cause turns and two of the were called off. The first one was NOT P.I. NO way close.

[@jeremydobbs5578]

2022 rules: He had possession as he crossed the goal line. Touchdown

[@toddsands6000]

I can't criticize this bang-bang play too much. The game is so fast that the referees simply have to go by their gut feeling of the play. Personally, I didn't think the WR had full control over the catch. And it was a tremendous play by the ATL defense. I think the right call was made. I remembered a play even more controversial with bigger stakes on the line than this Den vs ATL game. It was the amazing Mike Renfro catch in the end zone during the Pittsburgh vs Houston 1979 AFC championship game which was ruled an incomplete pass. Because of how fast and how close the catch was made in the end zone close to out of bounds. It appeared to be a TD, but I could definitely understand at that time why the referees ruled that catch an incomplete pass. That pass play was so close to being inbounds and/or out of bounds. And instant replay was not something employed at that time. But that play helped change the rules on adding instant replay in the future. I remembered the words of Houston's WR Mike Renfro about the referee closest to that catch. He claimed the referee looked like he saw a ghost in broad daylight after that controversial catch. Now that was an amazing football play before instant replay helped determine whether that was a catch or not.

[@miketemple7686]

And 40 years later what do we learn? 1). The 1982 strike shortened year would give JG9 more content than he could have dreamed of. 2). The NFL was a lot simpler, WAY LESS political! We miss you 1982!

[@matthewdaley746]

Yeah, we miss the time when Washington didn't cave in to PC pressure, was, really good, and, wasn't, owned by, "He, Who, Shall, Not, Be, Named."

[@DolFan316]

@@matthewdaley746 The race problem was actually well on its way to being solved in the early '80s thanks to a decade of desegregation. Whites and blacks were learning to get along naturally, realizing that the other group really wasn't so bad and they all wanted the same things ultimately. Then the people running things realized that if everyone did start getting along they couldn't be divided like before and might unite against them so PC was introduced to divide people again, and it's worked brilliantly. Now at least half of America is convinced we're living in the pre-Jim Crow days despite over three decades of PC (that we're suddenly supposed to pretend never happened) and are making race a bigger problem now than it's been in decades despite claiming to want equality. Just like the people in charge planned all along.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@DolFan316 Tragically, surprising, yet, not.

[@classicrockbeagle]

Worst call of all time: The Holy Roller. Ken Stabler clearly threw a forward pass at the end of the game - to date the only game won by an incomplete forward pass

[@effend446]

10:45 Watson was bobbling the ball just before it got popped loose. Therefore, not a catch. Whereas, Winslow's initial TD catch he held on before it got popped loose.

[@msmith42001]

That Winslow play is embarrassing. No way is that a TD.

[@DolFan316]

IKR? Not in this or ANY universe.

[@davidnelson6874]

I don’t think Watson had control by today’s standards or probably those standards either. He was a good receiver so I was surprised he had the ball pinned against his shoulder pads instead of really pulling the ball in properly.

[@recklssabndon]

I think that the Falcons were actually in the right - the first foot comes down without control of the ball. Even IF you argue he had control - the hit dislodged that control prior to the second foot hitting the end zone. It shifts to the receivers other arm, but he never gets another foot down after re-gaining possession, hence why it’s a fumble and not an INT perhaps?? Idk. That part is still confusing to me. I would call it a pick. He had control with one foot on the ground at the 1 yard line. He lost control. He regained control for a split second between his bicep and forearm of his right arm after picking up his right foot and planting his left foot in the end zone. But he’s still re-established control with only one foot down. Then the ball quickly comes out. At that point (IMO) it’s intercepted. If you’re calling it a fumble then you’re implying he had two feet down with possession- which he never did have both those things simultaneously. Side note: perhaps the referee said it was a judgement call because replay wasn’t a thing until 1985

[@CyberchaoX]

Yeah, I wasn't sure how it could possibly be a catch and fumble, I guess it was moving too fast but it looked like the only options were "interception" or "touchdown". It didn't look to me like it was possible to have established possession outside of the end zone. But based on what he said about the possession rules from 1982, that's a touchdown. By 2022 rules, it's an interception.

[@recklssabndon]

@@CyberchaoX I disagree- I think it’s a pick either way. I grew up watching in the 80’s and 90’s - and I remember the rules well (including the years where force-outs were a thing - talk about a nightmare for officiating catches)… granted I wasn’t around before replay in 1985. But still. He has possession by 1982 standards with one foot down, which is not a catch. Then he loses possession, and after losing possession he puts one foot down in the end zone and lifts the other foot up. He regains possession but still one foot down - still not a catch by 1982 standards. Then he loses possession again and it’s intercepted. That’s what I’m seeing. But I’m with you on this - there’s no way in hell that’s a fumble lol… it’s either an interception or it’s a touchdown. But I think it’s a pick. And if you watch the Winslow catch - it’s consistent with this being an interception. Winslow establishes possession for an iota of a second but with both feet down (he is very purposefully doing so - so much that he loses his balance because he wanted to be sure he had two feet down)

[@recklssabndon]

@@CyberchaoX actually - idk if he will see this comment chain but I think a deep dive video on the short lived “force-out catch rule” would be a fascinating video

[@cwf081166]

His first year with the team Mick Luckhurst won a new Corvette by hitting a hole in one at the grand opening of a new country club and golf course north of Atl.

[@Phateagle262]

Huh...this vid went from the usual "God hates the Falcons" vibe to "refs hate the Broncos" real quick.

[@matthewdaley746]

God hates, The, State Of Georgia, whenever, a, possible, Dynasty, is, remotely, feasible, they'll, win, exactly, once, if, at all, Bulldogs, Yellow Jackets, Braves, blood simple.

[@markjohnson4293]

if you want to talk about what a catch is can you do a video of the 1999 ncf championship game between the buccaneers vs rams

[@matthewdaley746]

Tampa Bay tried to, win, that Game, with, no offense, by a score of, 6-5, unfortunately, Tony Dungy, moronically, called a, TO, leading to the review, they didn't deserve to, win, though, he did deserve to be fired, Jon Gruden proved that coaching matters, it, also, showed why those Rams didn't become a, Dynasty.

[@marcus813]

I was hot about that one, but it never should've come down to that play. The Bucs had a chance to take control of that game early and couldn't quite do it. What was originally a catch by Bert Emanuel but later ruled an incompletion was the impetus for a rule change.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@marcus813 Tampa Bay's shorthanded, horribly.

[@DolFan316]

@@marcus813 Still one of the worst calls in NFL history. Even worse than the Tuck Rule, which was in fact correct by the letter of that rule. EVERYBODY assumed that was a catch...except for one man in the replay booth. The announcers, fans, players, coaches, everybody.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@DolFan316 Yeah, but, like, I said, if Tony Dungy doesn't call a, TO, there's no review, there's a reason why pretty much that same group of players needed Jon Gruden to, finally, get, over, the top.

[@ShahPhilLeotardo]

Mick Luckhurst was the first English guy to play in The NFL if I’m not mistaken.

[@landonthompson5604]

If this and other things did not happen then we would not have acquired John Elway.

[@leogetz3570]

I don't know, considering it was a trade, you could have still ended up with him

[@jasonharris1636]

advertising 4 Tootsie Pops

[@richardadams4928]

Calm down. It absolutely IS a judgment ruling if he had possession, which was mentioned in the question to Graf. You might well disagree, but it's not as outrageous as you contend. The catch by Winslow was no less silly, but it was a different game and I'd contend it shouldn't have counted, either.

[@DolFan316]

That Winslow "score" is the second worst TD ruling I've seen, after the ridiculous Vinny Testaverde "score" in '98 VS the Seahawks when an official somehow thought his white helmet was the ball. Not making this up.

[@leogetz3570]

@@DolFan316 yeah, that was the call that most likely cost the Seahakws a chance at the playoffs, got Dennis Erickson fired, and helped bring back instant replay (along with a blown call in the 49ers/Packers playoff game later that year)

[@matthewdaley746]

@@leogetz3570 The, first, and, third, parts, of your argument, are, correct, the, second, part, is, not, Dennis Erickson, probably, was, going to get fired the year, before, but, he, won, his, last, Game, he'd have had, to, win, the, SB, to, stay, his, fraudulent reputation, was, based upon the fact, that, he, "won," two, National Championships, (with, Jimmy Johnson's players), he got exposed, by, Alabama, and, Miami, went into decline, for, a few years, his failure in the, NFL, was, absolutely, no, accident.

[@MarkAHoltz]

I don't think the NFL allowed coach's challenge or reviewing of the play from the tape at that point.

[@joegausch]

There is a similar play when Mel Gray and the Cards beat Washington. According to the NFL rules at the time,its a T.D. These days? No way- he never had possession.

[@Jason_Maier]

If the NFL didn't discard divisions/expanded the playoffs to 8 teams each in 1982, then the playoff picture would have been: AFC: 1. Raiders (AFC West) 2. Dolphins (AFC East) 3. Bengals (AFC Central) 4. Steelers (Wild Card 1) 5. Chargers (Wild Card 2) NFC: 1. Redskins (NFC East) 2. Pakcers (NFC Central) 3. Falcons (NFC West) 4. Cowboys (Wild Card 1) 5. Vikings (Wild Card 2)

[@GR-bn3xj]

Both feet were down but whether he had control, idk

[@cfisher2447]

sorry, how's this not a touchdown today? he clearly gained possession THEN took 2 steps while crossing the plane. do you even understand football rules?

[@reddhead2948]

It takes 3 to get to the center of a tostise pop mr owl showed us owls are intelligent

[@billlump3792]

As a Falcons fan hindsight wasn't too bad for Denver....they got Elway that offseason.

[@jasonfischer8946]

That's right, the points are just like a ref with 20/20 vision, they don't matter.

[@jab1289]

For the Broncos, I don't think much changes even if they finish 5-4 (which is the best I see them doing). They get eliminated by the Raiders in Round 1, and I still think they get Elway. As for the Falcons, a 4-5 record would have dropped them to the seventh seed (based on conference record tie-breaker with the Lions and two other 4-5 teams). They would have went to Dallas, where they probably lose (and Leeman Bennett still gets fired). You also have the Cardinals going to Minnesota, and the Bucs going to Green Bay. I see the Pack winning, but the Cardinals would have had a decent chance against the Vikings. If they win, they lose to Washington, but they get their first taste of playoff success with this crew. They may have been the biggest winner in this scenario.

[@johncatalano7185]

'82 was a jacked up season anyway with the players' strike so you can draw your own conclusions........

[@jeffreymodzelewski1865]

I would feel bad for the Broncos, but I hate them so I don't lol 😂

[@DolFan316]

Same. Besides, that drive should've ended twice before that point anyway.

[@leogetz3570]

Well, it wasn't going to affect the Broncos, they wouldn't have been in the playoffs even if they won (or tied). Falcons could have gone either way if they lost, but most likely would have made it if they tied in this game. On the bright side for the Broncos, their 2-7 finish to the season led them to pull off a trade after the next year's draft that landed them a pretty decent QB

[@scawfan75]

As a Chargers fan, that WAS a touchdown by Winslow. Denver fans are just salty that's a mile high ;)

[@Rockhound6165]

I'm not getting how this changed the playoffs. Even if the Falcons lose they still win the NFC West and Denver still doesn't make the playoffs as they went 2-7. 3-6 doesn't make the playoffs either. So it had zero impact on the season.

[@marcus813]

The Broncos at 2-3 with a shot at the playoffs would've had an entirely different purpose than they had at 1-4 and playing out the string. It's not about this game alone.

[@Rockhound6165]

@@marcus813 still, they weren't a very good team with a very mediocre defense and it showed in games against KC and the Raiders. They weren't making the playoffs.

[@DolFan316]

IKR? OJG9 tends to get...a bit melodramatic sometimes. I know why he does it, and sadly it's a requirement for KZbinrs to do it, but melodrama is still melodrama. Let's not forget that their drive actually should've ended twice but penalties kept it alive. The number one mistake people playing the what if game make is assuming that if one thing about a situation changes, somehow everything else about that situation would stay the same. That's not how time travel works.

[@DolFan316]

@@Rockhound6165 The '82 Broncos finished with the league's 3rd worst point differential, and worse than any NFC team including the 2-7 Rams. So...yeah.

[@DolFan316]

@@marcus813 Except that they did win their next game (showing they hadn't given up) before scoring 16, 10 and 11 points in losing out. Even in '82 scoring 16 or less per game wasn't anywhere near a sustainable path to victory. The first of those losses was to the 1-5 Chiefs BTW. Saying that one call in one game affected every other team's entire season is just a bit hyperbolic.

[@wjh1482]

Not sure Watson has possession even by 1982 standards. Sure doesn’t look like he has both hands on it when the second foot comes down.

[@matthewdaley746]

The officials, were, just glad they still had actual Games to officiate that year, no doubt.

[@thewetzelsixx9009]

>says over 40 years ago >is actually just a few months under 40 Clearly, my intellectual prowess is much better than yours. (Clearly joking, just wanted to say it before it was said seriously) Also, kudos for the Whose Line reference. Wonder if they'll ever make a "spike the football on every play" joke.

[@LostLakeTribune]

I beg to differ. The receiver did not have possession before he was hit by the defender.

[@leogetz3570]

Yeah, I noticed that too, but the sticking point seemed to be did both feet hit the ground first, so they must have assumed he had complete control of the ball, even though it looked like he didn't. He definitely had more control than Kellen Winslow did from the previous week highlighted catch

[@Fireyninjadog]

I have a video suggestion. In 1992, the miami dolphins needed to beat the new england patriots, and pray the houston oilers beat the Buffalo bills to win the afc east. Late in the 4th quarter with the game tied, and the patriots in field goal range, Jeff Carlson got sacked on 3rd down. If Carlson dosent get sacked, and Charlie Bauman's field goal is good, everything changes. From the playoff picture, to the 1993 draft, even tom brady's nfl career. Buffalo gets the afc east title, Seattle gets the #1 draft pick in 1993, and if they take bledsoe, does tom brady become a legend?

[@matthewdaley746]

Better, question, if Tom Brady, loses, a, fourth, SB, and, it's to a, QB, that's seen as being of, lesser, ability, how, much is that going to stick out, like, a sore thumb, (especially, as he, likely, never, wins, another).

[@stevenbauer4799]

maybe seattle still takes overrated nd legend rick mirer?

[@matthewdaley746]

@@stevenbauer4799 Joe Montana didn't poison the well, so, much as he nuked, The, Entire, State Of Indiana, period, totally, was, An, Impossible, Act, To, Follow.

[@stevenbauer4799]

@@matthewdaley746 yep. ron pawlus and brady quinn agree.

[@matthewdaley746]

@stevenbauer4799 It didn't help that the only, Championship, they've, won, since, was, yet, another, example of Jimmy Johnson being obscenely unlucky, truly.

[@danielbowden6330]

We only get one shot and angle of the first touchdown for the Broncos. It looks like he had his knee down early.

[@arcticphoenix2789]

Broncos are sure snakebitten the days before John Elway

[@matthewdaley746]

They, were, snake-bit, in all, but, the last two years, with, him, good thing Mike Holmgren made the, second-dumbest, coaching decision in, SB, history, (Pete Carroll), and, Dennis Green coached, totally, scared.

[@shanetrimble9265]

@@matthewdaley746 what was the decision Holmgren made?

[@matthewdaley746]

@@shanetrimble9265 Letting what turned out to be, The, Game-Winning TD, score, he made some nonsensical argument that the Broncos would have, won, with, a, FG, as time expired, from the beginning, you're taught to force your opponent to, beat, you, (or, at least, every different coach, was).

[@bluesdoggg]

Even then he didn’t have control of the ball

[@recklssabndon]

Which came first? The chicken or the egg? The answer is simple. An egg with a chicken in it.

[@Unknown-bq9id]

OTOH, without this loss, would the Broncos have traded for John Elway in 1983? That being said, horrible call...

[@stevenbauer4799]

it would have moved their first back a few spots. even then yes.

[@lancerendar]

This is silly. In the full game, you’ll see at 20:41 the Broncos got a touchdown that shouldn’t have been allowed in the first half: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHa2kqlugJd2mpo

[@leogetz3570]

yep!! I actually noticed it at live speed before the replay. Officials definitely struggled in this game, but either way, the Broncos weren't making the playoffs that year.

[@tohaz]

How can field position be "Amazing"? But the refs didn't rule it an interception--they ruled it a fumble.

[@ricknibert6417]

We joined this game after watching Dallas hand Washington its only loss of the season.

[@matthewdaley746]

Washington would, later, end, their run as a, SB, contender in that season's, NFC Championship Game.

[@davidozab2753]

@@matthewdaley746 WE WANT DALLAS!

[@matthewdaley746]

@@davidozab2753 Cowboys got manhandled, entirely.

[@erikfosnaught7460]

this was a very bad analysis of both the rules and the play. It has always been the rule and still is the rule that they have to have possession of the ball when they cross the end zone. The "football Move" was added to a pass in the field of play and has been applied to the end zone. By 2022 calls this would be an incomplete pass. Now for this play. The defender hits him as he is about to enter the endzone and he losses the ball. So he did not have possession while entering the endzone but it was a complete pass by how the refs called the rules not due to any change in the rules. I also am a Steeler's fan so no skin in the game.

[@kenclampitt1362]

That was absolutely a judgement call! You sound not very intelligent to say otherwise. It may have been the wrong judgment but bang bang real time is hard! I encourage people saying refs are horrible to give it a shot yourself

[@matthewdaley746]

Yeah, and, judgment is only, "horrible," when it goes against them, so, incredibly bizarre, it appears.

[@johndaniels4623]

What the ever living [redacted] is a football move? Is this akin to the reasonable person defense?

[@matthewdaley746]

Not, sure, but, that legal theory is a total myth, trials, are, simply, high-stakes, popularity contests, where juries, (usually), go, with, the side that they, like, better, period, hence, The, Appellate Division.

[@falconfever5542]

If u watch the ball he never caught it or had possession at all

[@SNNetwork]

did he say 2 and 2 and the season is almost iver lol if the season ended after 5 games tf he talking about

[@neildonnelly6710]

I have trouble hearing your posts

[@ravenkahne8484]

Ravens, 2011-12 SB season. They would have never had the chance to be there without 4th & 28 being called wrong......hate to say it, but Rice came up short.

[@matthewdaley746]

Yeah, and, he'd have had a, longer, career in the NFL, were, it, not, for, elevator cameras, but, it, seems, that his luck just didn't extend off of the field, how, crazy.

[@ravenkahne8484]

@@matthewdaley746 .....it only took 4 seconds to end a career. Fascinating. The level of casualness he displayed was disturbing.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@ravenkahne8484 Only made the end result all the, more, satisfying, of course, the woman, ended up marrying him, anyway, so, I can't really say there, was, that much gray matter to go around.

[@ravenkahne8484]

@@matthewdaley746 If she knew then his career was over, I dont she would have. :)

[@matthewdaley746]

@@ravenkahne8484 What exactly, was, she supposed to do, get a real job, obviously, she, wasn't, financially stable enough to move on, I just can't root, for, either, party, here, they, truly, deserve, each, other, period.

[@SuperNuclearUnicorn]

Saints fans having PTSD

[@stevenbauer4799]

nothing here. didn't impact anything. neither team was a factor in expanded strike shortened playoff format. and if you couldn't make the playoffs in an 8 team conference 16 team (with several 4-5 teams) format then you really SUCKED. falcons lost to vikes. broncos failed to make playoffs. at least they got a nice high pick to dangle to colts to get elway out of it. and no one was beating the gibbs/riggo skins that season. skins yes SKINS would become know as champs of strike shortened seasons.

[@matthewdaley746]

Yeah, and, the 1983 team, was, better, than, the 1987 team, even, two, more, SBs, didn't give Joe Gibbs, forgiveness from a certain segment of their fans, satisfaction remains elusive.

[@stevenbauer4799]

@@matthewdaley746 yes that was best skin team. set a then pts. record. then raiders manhandled them.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@stevenbauer4799 Rocket Screen, absolutely unforgivable.

[@stevenbauer4799]

@@matthewdaley746 very dumb.

[@DolFan316]

IKR? He might as well have said the Snow Plow Game affected every other team that season. And in fact it actually would have, since a Dolphins win and Pats loss changes the entire seeding of the AFC playoffs, meaning that almost every team faces a different opponent than they actually did in the first round. I think Chargers-Steelers would've been the only matchup unaffected by that scenario.

[@KevinT7274]

I remember the Butch Johnson TD in SB 12. That wasn't anything close to a catch. Cowboys were the better team anyway but still it was a horrible call.

[@matthewdaley746]

They, weren't, better, than, either, the, Steelers, or, the, Raiders, there's, a very good reason why the, Cowboys, wouldn't, win, another, SB, until, 1992.

[@82dorrin]

Another catch that would not be a catch under today's rules.

[@KevinT7274]

@@82dorrin that wasn't a catch under those rules.

[@KevinT7274]

@@matthewdaley746 the Cowboys were very happy they didn't have to face the Raiders or especially the Steelers in that Super Bowl.

[@matthewdaley746]

@KevinT7274 Truer words, were, never, spoken, those Cowboys, were, lucky to get, even, two, SBs, it's, unquestionable.

[@AdamJ617]

The 1982 and 1987 seasons sucked.

[@DolFan316]

The *Redskins* would strongly disagree.

[@samuraibeastwarrior2886]

please do the fail mary next that call piss me off still to this day and i still say it was a INT

[@matthewdaley746]

He could do an entire video on all of the many times those Seahawks got, seriously, outplayed, yet, won, anyway, the fact that they only, won, one, SB, is proof that they, were, a, total, mirage.

[@samuraibeastwarrior2886]

this is worst than Fail Mary

[@lubetester]

Wait.... you mean to tell me they were knocking on the the doorsteps(?) of a win AND a victory?!