Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Sirvocea Dennis (8) and linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) and defensive end Elijah Roberts (95) and defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) tackle Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) in the first half. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Referee Brad Allen got roasted for his inexplicable ruling in Bucs, Panthers game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jan 4, 2026 1:16 AM ET

Referee Brad Allen straight up got a play completely wrong when announcing a ruling during Saturday’s game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw what appeared to be a backwards pass toward running back Rico Dowdle during the third quarter of Saturday’s game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. However, the pass was ruled incomplete on the field, even though Dowdle picked up the ball and appeared to have room to run in front of him.

After the play, Allen announced correctly that the ball was ruled a backwards pass. However, he ruled that the play was ruled dead when the ball went out of bounds, which it never came close to doing.

This play was ruled a “backwards pass out of bounds”

The refs are on one tonight.pic.twitter.com/3E5IIqfP9C
— Covers (@Covers) January 3, 2026

The ESPN broadcast crew was baffled, immediately pointing out that the ball never went out of bounds. Dowdle stopped after picking up the football because officials were signaling incomplete, but it certainly never came close to leaving the field of play.

The error was all the more glaring considering the same crew correctly let the Seattle Seahawks’ controversial two-point conversion play out three weeks ago. Perhaps Dowdle should not have stopped playing when he did, but the officials just made this way more confusing than it had to be.

Some fans may also remember Allen for being in charge of the crew of a controversial Detroit Lions loss two years ago.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: