Rams-Vikings facemask controversy, explained: Here’s what we know so far
Week 8 of the NFL season kicked off with a big controversy after a surprising non-call during “Thursday Night Football.” This decision led to the Minnesota Vikings suffering their second straight loss, putting an abrupt end to their strong start of 5-0.
With less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Vikings found themselves trailing the Los Angeles Rams 28-20. After an impressive punt from the Rams, Minnesota was stuck at their own 5-yard line. They had a tough challenge ahead, needing to cover 95 yards in just 106 seconds to have a chance at tying the game.
Things took a turn for the worse when, after a declined penalty on Minnesota’s first down, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was tackled in the end zone for a safety. This play effectively ended any hope of a comeback. There seemed to be illegal contact during the sack, but no penalty flag was thrown, causing frustration for everyone associated with the Vikings.
What Happened with the Non-Call?
On second down, Darnold dropped back in the end zone but was taken down by Rams linebacker Byron Young. Upon further inspection, it appeared that Young had grabbed Darnold by the facemask during the tackle, which jerked Darnold’s head.
Normally, a facemask penalty is serious business. According to the NFL rulebook, it’s illegal for players to “grasp and control, twist, turn, push, or pull the facemask of an opponent in any direction.” Had a penalty been called, it would have resulted in a 15-yard gain and a fresh set of downs for the Vikings, giving them a better chance to mount their two-minute drill.
However, the sack was upheld, leading to a safety for the Rams. This meant they extended their lead to 30-20. After the ensuing free kick, the Rams easily recovered the Vikings’ onside kick attempt, sealing the game.
Vikings Coach’s Reaction
After the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his frustration but remained calm when discussing the non-call. “It looked like he got a pretty good amount of facemask there,” he said. However, he made it clear that he didn’t want to dwell on the officiating decisions. “I told our team that for us to talk about that is not how we’re gonna respond to this,” he added, emphasizing that they wouldn’t let it distract them.
Referee’s Explanation
In the postgame report, referee Tra Blake provided some insight into why the facemask wasn’t called. He explained that he was facing the opposite direction and didn’t have a clear view of the play. The umpire was also blocked by other players, making it hard for him to see what happened. “We discussed it as a crew, but we weren’t able to see it on the field,” he said, highlighting that they couldn’t call what they didn’t see.
Why the Non-Call Can’t Be Reviewed
It’s important to note that facemask penalties are not reviewable under NFL rules. This means that once a foul isn’t called during the game, the team cannot ask for a review to have it called retroactively. The officials didn’t discuss the non-call further on the field, even though the Vikings, including Darnold, O’Connell, and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, were visibly upset.
While some plays can be reviewed—like those involving possession, goal line situations, or whether a player was out of bounds—facemask penalties do not fall into that category. The rules are strict: officials cannot change their minds after the fact, which can be frustrating for teams that feel wronged by a missed call.
In summary, this controversy highlights the challenges and frustrations teams face with officiating in high-stakes games, particularly in situations where a single call can change the outcome of a match.
