Rams-Seahawks called 'worst officiated game of the year'

Seattle Seahawks placekicker Jason Myers (5) makes a field goal during overtime against the Los Angeles Rams for a 16-19 Seattle victory. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Game that lifted Seahawks into playoffs, eliminated Lions called 'worst officiated' contest of the year

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 1/14/23

There are some around the NFL who believe the “Lions should be livid” after some awful officiating helped the Seattle Seahawks win a game that ended Detroit’s playoff hopes.

Going into Week 18, a Seattle victory over the Rams would eliminate Detroit from playoff contention. That is exactly what happened after the Seahawks defeated the Rams in overtime, 19-16. However, the victory is under fire from around the league for “calls [that] benefited the Seahawks, hurt the Rams, and ultimately impacted the Lions.”

On Saturday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the NFL competition committee, Lions and Rams were all upset by calls — or lack of them — in what one source called “the worst officiated game of the year.”

Sources within the competition committee, the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams were so frustrated with the officiating in Week 18, that they believe a review of the hiring process and training for game officials is needed. “The Lions should be livid. It was an awful way for them to end their season,” a source told the outlet.

One major moment of contention during the Seahawks' win over the Rams came in the fourth quarter when a running into the kicker penalty was called that extended a drive, leading to a game-tying field goal that would send it to overtime. The penalty is in question because replays clearly showed Jonah Williams was pushed into Michael Dickson and the call should have been negated.

Later in the quarter, star cornerback Jalen Ramsey was flagged for unnecessary roughness, while receiver DK Metcalf received no penalty despite putting his hand into Ramsey’s face in clear view of the back judge.

Jalen Ramsey gets run over by Geno Smith while potentially still in bounds and gets an unnecessary roughness flag

Then DK Metcalf puts his finger in Metcalf’s face and the taunting is ignored

Wild sequence of officiating #LARvsSEA pic.twitter.com/kaxpE6vGsQ
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) January 9, 2023

In overtime, officials missed what many believe was an intentional grounding penalty against Geno Smith and an obvious taunting penalty against Quandre Diggs after he intercepted Los Angeles quarterback Baker Mayfield.

It is unclear if the Rams or Lions will file official grievances with the league over the officiating from the Seattle Seahawks’ season finale win.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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