Replays on close TD passes burn Cardinals vs. 49ers

Idc that they called this incomplete. This is a catch and should have ended the game. My Lord John Brown.. 👀 pic.twitter.com/9vAYwuDHAF

— Damon Kecman (@DownWithDamon) October 1, 2017

Twice against the San Francisco 49ers, key near-catches in the end zone by the Arizona Cardinals were ruled incomplete.

The second, in overtime, was ruled an incomplete pass when Arizona wide receiver John Brown caught a tipped pass and appeared to get both toes on the turf before falling out of bounds.

Without an angle to confirm that his second toe touched inbounds, the on-field call stood despite a bit of evidence he completed the catch. That catch would have won the game for the Cardinals, but Larry Fitzgerald’s 19-yard touchdown catch soon after gave them the 18-15 overtime win anyhow.

This John Brown catch was ruled NOT a touchdown. Was it the right call? #SFvsAZ pic.twitter.com/X7hqs7naK0

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 1, 2017

Maybe more egregious was an earlier play in a game where each team could only muster four field goals apiece in regulation. Cardinals running back Andre Ellington reeled in a laser pass from Carson Palmer along the sideline of the end zone that, unlike Brown’s play, was initially called a touchdown.

Both toes tapped inbounds, the second just before the running back’s arm landed out of bounds. The ball, meanwhile, didn’t move, though it did hit the ground with Ellington’s hand remaining under it.

Wow Andre Ellington touchdown overturned #NFL #AZCardinals #BirdGang #SFvsAZ #BeRedSeeRed pic.twitter.com/Ge5s0n9Dnf

— 🚨 Ronnie Laybold 🐾 (@YotesHereToStay) October 1, 2017

FOX Sports officiating analyst Mike Pereira said during a mandatory replay review that he expected the call would stand.

And then it didn’t.

The play was reversed because the referees said the ball wasn’t caught, and the Cardinals settled for a 29-yard Phil Dawson field goal to tie the game, 3-3, in the second quarter.

“The ball can move a little bit but he had control first,” Pereira said after the touchdown was overturned. “Clear and obvious to overturn? No way do I see that.”

Pereira wasn’t alone.

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was outraged at the reversed touchdown.

Bruce Arians was NOT happy about that call. pic.twitter.com/weshADEdTn

— AZCardinalsNation (@AZCardinalsNtn) October 1, 2017

Much of the Twitterverse disagreed with the officials as well. The referees would have needed clear, obvious evidence to change their initial touchdown call.

I don't blame Bruce Arians for being upset in #SFvsAZ – that was not clear and obvious. Should have remained a TD.

— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 1, 2017

If I’m wrong about the hand, I accept. His explanation is dead wrong

— doug franz (@doug987FM) October 1, 2017

Arians giving it to the officials after that overturn.

— Vinny Joe ________ (@Vincemarotta) October 1, 2017

Only @NFL referees can make one long for college football replay teams. #Cardinals #Ellington

— John Zinn (@JohnZinn4) October 1, 2017

ellington got finessed

— CADE🔥DECA🎆🎇➡️ (@CadeKendall) October 1, 2017

Wow speechless right now how can you over turn the Ellington TD. @AZCardinals

— Cris (@cjdatyou) October 1, 2017

@NFL has had some horrible officiating today across the board. How do you overturn the Ellington TD? @AZCardinals

— Vince Payne (@bigpayno) October 1, 2017

As a #49ers fan I will go on record saying that was a bad call by the refs. Andre Ellington scored on that pass from Palmer. https://t.co/yRAF9i5qk0

— Triunfador Lancero (@RipRock81) October 1, 2017

Wow, they overturned it. I'm a little surprised … but I'll take it!

— Niners Nation (@NinersNation) October 1, 2017

Scoring play being reviewed. Looks to me like Ellington had his hand underneath the ball when he went to the ground.

— Niners Nation (@NinersNation) October 1, 2017

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