NFL Official Rebukes Lions HC Dan Campbell on Controversial Jared Goff Play
The controversy over Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff’s overturned touchdown has drawn out for more than a week, with a top NFL official rebuking the team’s head coach over his claims that the league was involved in overturning it.
Goff appeared to have a touchdown reception on a trick play in the team’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6, but it was overturned after a long review when it was determined that the Lions quarterback illegally went into motion after being under center.
The game’s top official later told reporters that officials on the field huddled and made the call themselves, though Campbell claimed it was intervention from the league that overturned it. A top NFL official is now correcting Campbell, saying the NFL had nothing to do with it.
Dan Campbell’s Claim Disputed
The Lions unveiled the trick play on a fourth-and-goal play from the 1-yard line, sending Goff out wide and having running back David Montgomery take the snap before throwing to Goff. The Lions quarterback initially bobbled the ball but gained control as he went over the goal line.
Officials huddled and determined that because Goff never got set, it was a penalty for illegal motion. The Lions were pushed back five yards and settled for a field goal.
Troy Vincent, the league’s executive vice president of football operations, addressed the play this week in an appearance on Pro Football Talk. He contradicted Campbell’s claim that the call to overturn the touchdown came in from league headquarters in New York, saying the long delay before the call was made is normal for complicated situations.
“It was not (any assistance given from the league office),” Vincent said. “I’m not sure who Coach Campbell was referring to but we did not assist in that. We didn’t have to. I’m part of Gameday Central on every game and just for clarification purposes here, you heard the officials talking immediately as the play was going on, prior to even the touchdown. You see that delay — I see it quite often when you get the intentional grounding, where you see that huddle up and that late flag come in. Why? Because they’re communicating.”
The league’s vice president of replay training and development, Mark Butterworth, also said this week that league officials aren’t even allowed to review illegal motion plays — only help on-field officials when they’re looking for the jersey number of a player involved.
Lions Moving On
The loss to the Chiefs is now two weeks behind the Lions, who responded with a big win over the conference-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers before heading into their bye this week.
After last week’s win, Goff praised his team for responding well to adversity. The Lions have now gone more than three years without losing consecutive games.
“Being a pretty good team and having good resiliency, good adversity-fighting strengths,” Goff said, via SI.com. “We’ve got a really strong group and I don’t think one win ever gets us down and we know we have to respond and did today.”
Giants Get Bad News on 2 Defensive Backs Ahead of Eagles Game
Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
The Giants will be without some key members of their secondary on Sunday against the Eagles.
Safety Jevon Holland was downgraded to out and will not travel with the team to Philadelphia, the Giants announced Saturday. They were already planning to be without cornerback Paulson Adebo. Both players are dealing with knee injuries.
It’s a concerning development for New York’s defense, which gave up 33 points in the fourth quarter of last week’s stunning 33-32 loss to the Broncos.
What Holland’s Injury Means For the Giants
Holland is in his first season with the Giants after signing a three-year, $45.3 million contract in March. The former Dolphins star has been a slight disappointment through seven games, as Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks him 47th out of 84 eligible safeties with a grade of 62.5. He has 28 tackles (16 solo) and three passes defended.
Holland, 25, had been listed as doubtful on Friday after missing his third straight practice.
Dane Belton is expected to start alongside Tyler Nubin in Holland’s absence. Belton has 36 tackles (17 solo) and one fumble recovery this season.
What Adebo’s Injury Means For the Giants
Adebo was another one of the big-ticket additions to New York’s defense this offseason. Signed to a three-year, $54 million deal in March, Adebo was expected to take over as the Giants’ No. 1 cornerback. But like Holland, he’s struggled to make plays in Shane Bowen’s defense.
Adebo, 26, had seven interceptions over the last two seasons with the Saints but is still waiting for his first as a Giant. In seven games, he has 48 tackles (41 solo) and four passes defended. He did not practice this week.
PFF ranks Adebo 91st out of 112 eligible cornerbacks with a grade of 52.3.
His absence means more opportunities for 2023 first-rounder Deonte Banks, whose role had been reduced due to poor play and lapses in effort.
Eagles Will Be Without All-Pro Receiver
The Giants (2-5) rank 26th against the pass and 29th in total defense (376 yards allowed per game). Replacing both Holland and Adebo will be difficult, but at least they won’t have to worry about defending star wide receiver A.J. Brown.
The three-time All-Pro will miss Sunday’s game because of a hamstring injury.
