ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians: ‘We had clear possession’ on controversial play

Nov 17, 2014, 9:21 PM | Updated: 9:42 pm

Presented By...

LISTEN: Bruce Arians- Cardinals head coach

By most accounts, the Arizona Cardinals’ defense played its best game of the season in its win Sunday over the Detroit Lions. But it was a special-teams play — one that came with a bit of controversy — that many people were talking about after the game.

Leading 14-6 with 12 minutes to play, the Cardinals decided to punt on fourth down from the Lions’ 36-yard line. Arizona cornerback Justin Bethel caught the ball at the Detroit 1-yard line and then threw it forward before he fell into the end zone to avoid a touchback.

Lions receiver Jeremy Ross picked up the loose ball and returned it to the Arizona 46-yard line. But the play was challenged by Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, who contended Bethel possessed the ball long enough for the play to be ruled dead.

The officiating crew agreed with Arians and reversed the call, leading to a disagreement between former NFL Vice President of Officiating Mike Pereira, who thought the play should have stood as called on the field, and current NFL VP of Officiating Dean Blandino.

Of course, Arians preferred the latter interpretation Sunday.

“Their rule has been back and forth a couple of different times now. If you have sole possession of the ball and throw it forward, the ball is dead. If he batted it, that’s a whole different story. But we had clear possession,” Arians told Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Monday.

“The referees knew it was a challengeable play. Once we got that confirmed, then we made the challenge and obviously won it.”

Bethel nearly stepped on the goal line while fielding the punt, which would have resulted in a touchback. After Ross’ return, Arians said he gladly would’ve accepted that result, as well.

“For sure,” he said. “Like I said, I communicated with (the officials) and they assured me it was a reviewable play, and if he had possession, then we would win (the challenge).”

The successful challenge resulted in a 53-yard swing. Instead of beginning their drive in Arizona territory, the Lions were moved back all the way to their own 1-yard line.

Detroit’s subsequent 10-play, 52-yard drive fizzled out when quarterback Matthew Stafford’s fourth-down pass intended for wide receiver Calvin Johnson fell incomplete.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill speaks at a press conference...

Tyler Drake

Michael Bidwill: Cardinals ‘aligned on getting this thing right’ in 2024

Michael Bidwill believes the Cardinals aren't that far off from really turning things around under Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort.

22 hours ago

Marvin Harrison Jr....

Nick Borgia

Marvin Harrison Jr. remains Cardinals top pick in latest ESPN mock

With the 2024 NFL draft just around the corner, ESPN's latest mock draft details what could be in store for the Cardinals' first six picks.

2 days ago

Rome Odunze...

Kevin Zimmerman

Peter Schrager’s NFL mock draft has a surprising Cardinals trade-down with Giants

Peter Schrager believes the New York Giants could trade with the Arizona Cardinals, who move down to the No. 6 pick to select Rome Odunze.

2 days ago

Trey McBride works out...

Tyler Drake

Tweaked process, same message: Cardinals begin strength and conditioning program

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon isn't the biggest believer in picking up where you left off, especially on a year-to-year basis.

2 days ago

Rome Odunze high fives a fan...

Tyler Drake

Budda Baker backs Rome Odunze, Marvin Harrison Jr. as top WR prospects this NFL Draft

If Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort was waiting for Budda Baker's thoughts on the top wide receiver prospect this NFL Draft, he's got them.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White trains...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Kyzir White progressing, ‘feeling pretty good’ with his rehab post-bicep injury

Arizona Cardinals MIKE linebacker Kyzir White is taking the appropriate steps forward in his continued rehab from a torn biceps injury.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians: ‘We had clear possession’ on controversial play