The Rams got a safety on the play and won the game 30-20
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Another week, another NFL officiating controversy.
Week 8 of the NFL season began with the Los Angeles Rams topping the Minnesota Vikings, 30-20, on Thursday night behind Matthew Stafford’s four touchdown passes. However, it was a missed face mask penalty on Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold that had everyone talking.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, #14, reacts after being sacked for a safety by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young during the second half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
With 1:36 remaining and the Vikings deep in their own territory, Rams defensive tackle Byron Young grabbed Darnold’s face mask as he tackled him for a safety. It gave Los Angeles two points to extend its lead to 10 points and ultimately sealed the game.
Needless to say, the NFL world erupted in fury.
Byron Young has a fine incoming for the blatant facemask officials missed.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 25, 2024
Small price to pay for a game-sealing play that changes a lot of things for the #Rams.
pic.twitter.com/bAbSRBrfuL
Can’t see a facemask 3 feet in front of them, but we want refs to decide what is and isn’t a “hip drop” tackle in real time.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 25, 2024
😂😂
Referee Tra Blake was questioned on why there was no facemask penalty called on the Rams, responding with "I did not have a good look at it"
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 25, 2024
Also Tra Blake: pic.twitter.com/aFbYflmBYV
Referee thought Sam Darnold decided to just twist his own head off. No facemask. Just Darnold trying to go full Exorcist out there. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/ba7EDjodAQ
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) October 25, 2024
Facemask must be reviewable.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 25, 2024
Sam Darnold’s helmet got yanked around like this and the refs still didn’t call a facemask pic.twitter.com/ZTSj8cRFFA
— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) October 25, 2024
That was the most facemask that ever facemask’d
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) October 25, 2024
Hey, I’m a 🐏 homie, but how do the zebras miss an obvious facemask in the end one? 🤷🏽
— JimEverett.eth (@Jim_Everett) October 25, 2024
Referee Tra Blake explained to a pool reporter after the game he could not see the face mask.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, #14, reacts after being sacked for a safety by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young during the second half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
"The quarterback was facing the opposite direction from me, so I did not have a good look at it," Blake said, via ESPN. "I did not have a look, and I did not see the face mask being pulled, obviously."
Blake said umpire Carl Paganelli was also blocked.
"The umpire had players between him and the quarterback, so he did not get a good look at it," Blake added. "He was blocked out as well. So that was the thing. We did not see it, so we couldn't call it."
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and Darnold would not use the missed penalty as an excuse. Minnesota still had to drive the length of the field regardless of the face mask.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, #9, and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, #14, hug after an NFL football game on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
However, it definitely would have helped.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
