Tyler Boyd (83) celebrates with running back Joe Mixon (left) and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) after scoring a touchdown that probably shouldn't have counted. Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Refs seemingly miss inadvertent whistle on Joe Burrow touchdown pass

By Jordan Wolf | Last updated 1/15/22

Joe Burrow lit it up in the first half of Saturday's playoff showdown with the Raiders, but it appears as though one of his touchdown passes maybe shouldn't have counted.

Burrow found Tyler Boyd in the back of the end zone for his second touchdown of the game late in the second quarter, but there was some initial confusion on the field after the play. Burrow had drifted all the way to the sideline before making the pass, and it wasn't initially clear on the TV broadcast if he had stepped out.

It also wasn't clear to those on the field, apparently, as there was an audible whistle sound shortly after the ball left Burrow's hand.

Maybe an audio sync issue or some other glitch, but you could definitely hear a whistle mid-pass on the broadcast. pic.twitter.com/FZctJVMtLd
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 15, 2022

Instant replay confirmed Burrow didn't step out of bounds before making the throw. However, per NFL rules, the play should have been called dead as soon as the whistle was blown.

It wasn't, however, as the refs briefly conferred before ruling it a touchdown, and the play ultimately stood as called. The Raiders then scored a touchdown before halftime to cut the Bengals' lead to 20-13.

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