Missed call sets up Baker Mayfield game-tying touchdown vs. Lions
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sent Sunday’s divisional-round matchup against the Detroit Lions into the fourth quarter with a 17-17 tie after the refs missed a call on quarterback Baker Mayfield. After driving down the field, Mayfield threw the ball out of bounds while falling to the ground.
The referees on the field failed to see that the former Sooners star’s calf was touching the turf as he threw. The QB would have been considered down via a sack if the refs saw the play as slowly as the fans at home got to see it upon replay but without that view, the game moved on to the next play.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell also declined to throw a challenge flag on the play. It ended up being rather consequential as Rachaad White scored on a 12-yard catch and run on the ensuing play.
The Detroit Lions took less than two minutes to respond, scoring on a 31-yard rush by rookie Jahmyr Gibbs on the next drive. Detroit now leads 24-17 with 13:13 left in the fourth quarter.
The winner of Sunday’s divisional-round matchup will move on to face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC conference championship game next weekend.
Lions lean on rookies
The Detroit Lions could not have made the run they have this season to the divisional round without the contributions they’ve received from first-year players. Rookies Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs instantly impacted the Lions this season, both finishing second amongst their peers in touches and yards. LaPorta had 86 catches, 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gibbs also had 10 touchdowns (plus one more receiving touchdown) with 182 carries and 945 rushing yards.
Rookies have been incredibly impactful for the Lions defense as well this season. Safety Brian Branch and linebacker Jack Campbell finished the regular season with 74 and 95 tackles, respectively. Combined, they also had three sacks while Branch added three interceptions, including one for a touchdown. Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta and Branch were the first four players taken by the Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft.