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Justin Tucker kicked a last-second, 66-yard field goal against the Lions on Sunday to give the Ravens a 19-17 victory and improve Baltimore’s record to 2-1.
It was an incredible play by Tucker, whose 66-yarder not only was an NFL record, but also kept him a perfect 16 of 16 in field goals attempted in the final minute of regulation. Unfortunately for him, the play may be overshadowed by the fact officials missed a clear delay of game penalty prior to his attempt.
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Video from the CBS telecast shows that quarterback Lamar Jackson failed to snap the ball on time on the play prior to Tucker’s attempt. Several moments passed between the time the play clock hit zeroes and the snap of the ball, but officials for whatever reason did not call it on the field.
The Justin Tucker game-winning kick from 66 yards never should have happened. According to CBS broadcast graphic, this should have been a delay of game on Baltimore on the play before the field goal. #Lions #Ravens pic.twitter.com/YnVOuC3KXX
— Jonathan Deutsch (@JonathanD_TV) September 26, 2021
Instead, Jackson was able to throw the ball away, ensuring Tucker’s attempt would be the final play of the game.
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“There’s nothing I can say to that,” Lions coach Dan Campbell told reporters postgame. “Because it’s the same thing. Tomorrow you’ll get an apology and it doesn’t mean anything, you know? That’s life. And that’s the hand we were dealt. And we still had an opportunity. That was fourth-and-long and we gave it up.”
Had officials called the infraction, Baltimore would have been forced to take a 5-yard penalty back to its own 47, forcing the team to try and make up the difference instead of throwing it away. Perhaps the Ravens would have made the difference back, but it’s possible they would have remained outside of Tucker’s range following the penalty. That almost certainly would have forced Baltimore into a Hail Mary situation, considering Tucker’s attempt barely snuck in after bouncing off the crossbar:
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As it stood, Tucker is now the record-holder for longest field goal in NFL history.
Much to the Lions’ chagrin.
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