Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles addresses Hail Mary controversy vs. Bills
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles didn't blame the referees after it seemed multiple offensive players were victims of defensive penalties on the Hail Mary attempt that ended Thursday night's 24-18 loss at the Buffalo Bills.
"I mean, they’re all like that at the end of the ball game," Bowles told reporters during a Friday Zoom session, according to Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times. "When the ball’s in the air, you’re not really looking for flags."
With just four seconds remaining in regulation, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield dropped back near his own 40-yard line and launched a prayer of a pass into the end zone that wide receiver Chris Godwin failed to spot in time to make a play. The ball harmlessly hit the painted turf, and the Bills escaped with the six-point victory.
However, outlets such as the JoeBucsFan website and Pro Football Talk pointed out that Godwin, fellow receiver Mike Evans and tight end Cade Otton were interfered with by Buffalo players when the ball was in the air. By rule, Tampa Bay should've received an untimed down at the one-yard line with a chance to earn a walk-off touchdown.
"Yes, the NFL has (inexplicably) applied a different standard to pass interference on Hail Mary plays," Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio explained. "The rules contain no such distinction."
The Bills are no stranger to such fortune, as a similar no-call regarding contact that occurred inside the end zone helped them close out a 14-9 home win over the New York Giants in Week 6 on Oct. 15.
"The defense is trying to box out, the offense is trying to get position," Bowles continued during his comments. "Very rarely are you going to see a flag on that play. You either make the catch and get it up in the air and get a tipped ball or you don’t."
Plenty seems to be going against the once 3-1 Buccaneers, as they've now dropped three straight games and will have some extra time to think about their Week 9 contest at the Houston Texans. 3-3 Houston plays at the 0-6 Carolina Panthers this Sunday.
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