NFL referees were forced to implement a little-known rule during Wild Card weekend.
During the playoff game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a camera caused some confusion between the teams and officials.
2
2
NFL playoff games tend to have extra cameras around the field to allow for higher production quality for the biggest games of the season.
However, those extra cameras directly impacted the game Sunday night.
During the fourth quarter of the game, Tampa Bay was ready to go for the leaders after kicking a field goal.
Punter Jack Browning launched the kickoff into the end zone and it was recorded as a touchdown before the game went to a commercial break.
However, when the game returned from the break, the teams once again lined up in the starting formation.
It turns out that Browning's kickoff snapped one of the wires carrying NBC's SkyCam.
According to the NFL rule book, a camera effect requires that the kickoff be canceled and retried.
It ended up not making any difference, as Browning's second kickoff resulted in a bounce as well, putting the Leaders on the 30-yard line.
While the replay had little impact on the outcome of the match, fans were still fascinated by the rare referee and shared their thoughts on social media.
“So weird,” one fan said.
“Does anyone know if time has gone back?” Another fan said.
“This has happened once in a million times,” a third fan said.
A fourth fan said: “With drones nowadays, is there really a need for a Skycam?”
A fifth fan said: “This is the first time I know of a camera wire interfering with a live ball.”
Shortly after kickoff on SkyCam, the Leaders went on to win the game with a last-second field goal.
NFL division round schedule
Saturday, January 18, 4:30 PM ET (ESPN/ABC) – Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Saturday, January 18, 8 PM ET (FOX) – Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions
Sunday, January 19, 3pm ET (NBC) – TBC at Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, January 19, 6:30 PM ET (CBS) – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Washington drove the field from the 30-yard line to field goal range in about five minutes.
Zane Gonzalez hit his shot attempt off the post, but fortunately kept going for three points.
The game-winning field goal helped the Leaders win their first playoff game since 2006.
Washington now has the daunting task of facing the top-seeded Detroit Lions in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The leaders are underdogs by 8.5 points.
