The Denver Broncos (7-2) escaped Bank of America Stadium with another one-score victory, but the officiating is garnering almost as much attention as this streaking squad. One specific play in the second half enraged Carolina Panthers fans, and mystified plenty of others.
The home team was in prime position to extend its 14-13 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, but instead, a costly turnover flipped the game's momentum in a heartbeat. Camped on the opponent's 1-yard line, Bryce Young threw a pass intended for tight end Tommy Tremble that was tipped and impressively secured by Broncos safety Devon Key. Somehow, the ball never touched the ground, and was therefore an interception. That was not determined right away, though.
Carolina seemingly ran another play before the officials reviewed what was initially ruled an incompletion. The call was overturned, and Denver gained possession. Following an 80-yard, six-plus-minute drive, the Broncos grabbed a 19-14 lead and never trailed again. Social media ignited. People posted videos and vantage points, claiming that Denver head coach Sean Payton did not throw the challenge flag until after the ball was snapped for the next play.
Although there is no disputing that Key recorded an INT, the process to making that confirmation is under heavy fire. Furthermore, one can argue that Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad committed pass interference on Tremble before the ball was even picked off. Referee Alan Eck explained the decisions to not rule defensive PI and to overturn the incompleted pass, which obviously had a big effect on the outcome of this inter-conference matchup.
The thought process behind crucial call in Broncos-Panthers
“I had two officials that had a great look at the play,” the crew chief told pool reporter Alex Zietlow, per ESPN's Mike Kaye. “They felt the defender arrived at the same time as the pass. We refer to that as a bang-bang play. They felt the timing was fine. The official ruling was an incomplete pass and then we went to replay.”
Eck then addressed the controversy surrounding Payton's challenge, and whether or not it was initiated in time.
“Replay can get involved to make sure that the head coach throws his challenge flag prior to the next snap,” he clarified. “We were actually able to use angles to show that the flag was out prior to the ball being snapped, and so we permitted the challenge.”
All was not lost for the Panthers on that brutal goal line sequence. They had an opportunity to pull ahead again in the final two minutes of the game, but a Nik Bonitto strip sack essentially clinched the W for the Broncos. Still, it is easy to see why frustrations are high.
Alan Eck's explanation will not temper Charlotte's fury.