Officials miss PI call on Richard Sherman against Julio Jones, and Seattle escapes
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman grabbed Julio Jones’ right arm on fourth-and-10, with the ball headed Jones’ way. It was clear on the replay that Sherman interfered with Jones. It was clear to Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn, who went nuts on the officials after no flag was thrown.
Officials apparently never wondered why Jones went up for the deep pass with just his left hand. The answer: Sheman hooked Jones’ right arm and he had no choice. Instead it was ruled an incomplete pass and the Seahawks escaped with a thrilling 26-24 win.
It seemed for a while like the most talked-about play would be a drop by Jones in the fourth quarter.
With less than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Fa lcons holding a 1-point lead, Jones had a ball go off his hands. It wasn’t the easiest catch, but it’s one you expect Jones to make every time. Instead the ball went off the hands of All-Pro Jones and then off the hands of All-Pro Sherman and into the hands of All-Pro Seahawks safety Earl Thomas for an interception. The Seahawks got a field goal shortly after to take the lead.
The Seahawks didn’t allow anything to the Falcons on their first three plays after that, setting up fourth-and-10. Quarterback Matt Ryan is smart, and he figured out his best chance at that point was throwing it up to Jones and hoping he made a big play. It almost worked. Jones almost had his redemption.
Jones was double covered but still looked like he had a good chance at the catch. But he wasn’t going to do it with one arm pinned to his side. Sherman got away with one. Quinn’s rant did no good, though he saw what everyone else did.
It was obvious the game was played between two of the NFC’s best teams. Atlanta played very well and looked to be in position to win, and then the Seahawks rallied to pull it off. The Falcons look more legit than ever, even after a loss.
It’s just too bad one of the best games of the NFL season so far will be known best for a call that wasn’t made at the end.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter.
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