Baltimore Ravens receiver Steve Smith appeared to have pulled off another miracle, an 80-yard touchdown in the final seconds to beat the Cincinnati Bengals.
But ... flag on the play. Offensive pass interference on Smith. No touchdown. The Bengals went on to win a thrilling game 27-24.
The question that will be asked a lot, especially because the result was enormous in the AFC North race, is if the action was worth the flag.
Smith was deep downfield waiting on Flacco's pass when Bengals safety George Iloka reached him and turned around to track the ball. Smith quickly put his hands on Iloka and subtly shoved him aside. Iloka did a great job embellishing as he went to the ground. But acting job or not, by the letter of the rules, it was pass interference.
Yet, this is not an unusual play in the NFL. Hand fighting happens all the time between receivers and defensive backs. Smith's quick shove could be called almost every play, and it's not. So was it fair to change the outcome of a game by calling it then?
Former NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira said it was the right call.
This is what coach John Harbaugh and Smith said after the game, via the Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson:
That play was the most entertaining in a game that had plenty of them. The Ravens rallied to take a late lead off a couple big turnovers. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton then made some great plays on a late drive and scored on a quarterback sneak on fourth and goal with 57 seconds left to give the Bengals a lead.
It was a fantastic game, but all people will be talking about is one play, and a call that changed the outcome. But was it the right call?
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
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