Controversial interception hands Jaguars first playoff win in a decade
The Jacksonville Jaguars secured a 10-3 AFC Wild Card victory over the Buffalo Bills in a grinding defensive battle.
The game was low on points scored, but that doesn’t mean the final moments weren’t dramatic.
A common question among NFL fans this season was what exactly constitutes a catch.
After the way the Jaguars-Bills game ended, Bills fans will be the latest group demanding an explanation for what constitutes a catch.
With the score at 10-3, the Bills suffered a tough loss on their potential game-tying drive. Starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor took a pair of scary hits to the head that knocked him out of the game.
Tyrod Taylor's head hit the ground very hard pic.twitter.com/tz6Nrf1mPt
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) January 7, 2018
Taylor was tackled by a Jacksonville player and the back of his head slammed the ground. As he was laying there, another Jacksonville defender came flying in and landed with his full weight on a possibly unconscious Taylor.
This brought in Bills rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman, remembered best for the five interceptions he threw in the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
With the season on the line, Peterman actually notched a pair of first downs on consecutive plays.
The first came on a crucial scramble on a 4th-and-3. Peterman then threw a crisp pass for another first down.
A key holding penalty moved the sticks to a 2nd-and-20, and Peterman did what he’s most famous for — throwing an interception.
.@JALENRAMSEY CALLED GAME. #BUFvsJAX #Jaguars#NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/XW82fxZ2zE
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2018
During video review, there was immediate controversy over whether or not Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey actually completed the interception.
While officials ruled the call on the field stood, it was far from conclusive. Incensed Bills coach Sean McDermott made sure to voice his displeasure with the referees as the game’s final seconds ticked away.
GAME. OVER. pic.twitter.com/ti7rw1znUH
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 7, 2018
On the one hand, it appears Ramsey was able to get his hands under the football and “survive the ground.”
On the other hand, the football pretty visibly moves as Ramsey hits the ground, which is usually a surefire sign of a bobbled catch.
Jalen Ramsey interception on the replay.. call on field stood but was it the right decision? #BUFvsJAX pic.twitter.com/gNvB02uzC8
— Cole Topham (@crtopham_) January 7, 2018
Either way, it was a tough loss for the Bills fans to swallow.
There’s nothing quite like waiting 17 years for a grand total of three points scored in a playoff game.
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