The Cardinals’ miracle TD only counted because the refs missed a crucial penalty
The Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals played what could go down as one of the better NFL playoff games in recent memory. The teams went back and forth, trading crucial and incredibly improbable plays. The Packers completed a Hail Mary on the last play of regulation to even force overtime. The Cardinals' miracle play happened a little earlier with a deflection touchdown to take the lead.
What could have easily been complete disaster in a game-changing interception, instead turned into a go-ahead touchdown! While the Packers got beat by luck on the play, they may have also been going against the referees.
The Cardinals ran a pick play to free up Larry Fitzgerald on a quick slant. Arizona wide receiver Jaron Brown played the role of the picker, and he did a very good and very illegal job of it.
Receivers are allowed to get in the way and obstruct a defensive back. They aren’t allowed to drive them 10 yards down the field. That should have been offensive pass interference, negating the miracle touchdown and moving the Cardinals 10 yards back. The play occurred on first-and-goal from the 9-yard line, so the Cardinals would have had three chances to punch it in from the 19-yard line or settle for a field goal.
They may have scored on the very next play, but they should not have scored on this one.
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SB Nation presents: Green Bay’s luck runs out after failing to cover Larry Fitzgerald
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