Watch: Broncos get benefit of missed call on TD vs. Chargers

Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Watch: Broncos get benefit of missed call on touchdown vs. Chargers

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Dec 19, 2024 10:19 PM ET

The Denver Broncos got off to a fast start in Thursday's huge AFC West game against the Los Angeles Chargers, jumping out to a 21-10 lead in the second quarter.

But it was that third touchdown to open the game that came with a little controversy and will certainly have the Chargers feeling cheated.

The touchdown came when rookie quarterback Bo Nix completed a six-yard pass to Devaughn Vele.

There was initially a penalty flag thrown on the field for an ineligible man downfield call, but the referees ended up picking up the flag saying there was no foul.

Replay seems to suggest they should not have picked up the flag.

Officials picked up the flag for ineligible man downfield against the Broncos, resulting in a Broncos TD.

Rules analyst Terry McAulay: "They should've left the flag down for an ineligible downfield. This is a foul." ️ #NFL #TNF pic.twitter.com/EqTR8Dvmo2
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 20, 2024

It is pretty clear that Broncos right guard Quinn Meinerz was more than one yard downfield when Nix threw the ball, and that the flag was valid.

Still, something happened in the discussion between the on-field officials that made them pick it up.

Amazon's referee expert Terry McAulay did not agree and thought the penalty should have remained. It did not, and the Broncos benefitted from it.

Ineligible man downfield penalties have been a pretty common occurrence across the NFL this season as team's implement more run-pass option plays that put lineman into a gray area on whether or not they are run-blocking or pass-blocking on a given play. This should have been another call.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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