NFL official Craig Wrolstad explains controversial leverage penalty to end Broncos vs. Colts

An NFL official explained what happened at the end of the Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts game on Sunday. While speaking to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, NFL official Craig Wrolstad revealed why a leverage penalty was called against the Broncos as the Colts attempted a game-winning field goal.

“For leverage, as a defender, you’re not allowed to place your hand on an opponent or a teammate and push off to propel yourself into the air to block a kick,” Wrolstad said in the pool report, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. “In this case, number 92 came across the line to the right guard, and he put his hands on the right guard and pushed off him to elevate himself in the air in order to try to block the kick.

“You’re not allowed to do that. It is a personal foul and a 15-yard penalty. In this case, since it was the last play of the game, and it was a foul on the defense, we extended the game for one untimed down. We assessed the 15-yard penalty, and they were able to run another play.”

As time expired, Colts kicker Spencer Shrader attempted and missed a 60-yard field goal, and it appeared the Broncos won the game 28-26. But Broncos linebacker Dondrea Tilman was hit with a leverage penalty, which led to Shrader hitting a 45-yard field goal to give the Colts the 29-28 victory.

Colts and Broncos react to emotional finish

“Obviously, a disappointing loss,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said after the game, per the Broncos’ official website. “We did a lot of things late in that game to keep us from winning. It’ll be painful to watch that film, and yet, we’ll get the corrections made. It starts with me, our staff. We had a number of opportunities to not be in that position late, and unfortunately, we shot ourselves in the foot too many times.”

After making the game-winning kick, Shrader explained how he stayed calm under pressure. “I have faith, intentional conversation with my family, stoicism is something I like to study a lot,” he explained, per the Colts’ official website. “I try to just fill my mind with positive things that help me and prepare me for that environment.

The Colts improve to 2-0 and have made NFL history. They are the first team in the Super Bowl era to not punt in either of their first two games of the season.