Football Zebras.com

• A challenge flag foils a fake field goal try. Replay equipment foils the challenge, but the fake field goal is still foiled (video).
• Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is not happy with some of the calls, especially a blow to the head that wasn’t.

More on these items coming Monday.

Week 14: Vikings at Lions

4th quarter | :09 remaining | Lions 34-28 | Vikings ball | 1st & goal @ 1 | video

The Vikings were on the comeback express, having trailed by 21, and were one yard from overcoming the deficit against the Lions with seconds remaining.

Vikings quarterback Joe Webb fumbled the ball on the final play, and after a mad scramble, the ball was recovered by the Lions with the time expired. Game over.

However, the officials missed two fouls committed by the Lions on the play.

Facemask penalty. Coinciding with the fumbled ball was a grasp and twist of Webb’s facemask by Lions DeAndre Levy. While this should have been caught, referee John Parry, who has coverage on the quarterback, obviously was not in position to see it. (Webb’s back was to him.) However, this is a huge missed call given to the entire crew.

Illegally batting the ball. In the scramble to pick up the loose ball, Steven Tulloch swatted the ball downfield. That is an illegal bat, and should have also been penalized. Because the game was under two minutes remaining, the rule for fumbles is that the fumbler is now the only offensive player who can pick up the loose ball and run. In this case, Webb was close to potentially recovering the ball, until Tulloch deliberately pushed the ball downfield. In my opinion, there was no intent to recover the fumble, as Tulloch hit the ball with his left hand, while his right hand remained at his side. In real time (without the benefit of replay) this is a hard judgement to make; therefore, it is rarely called.

Tony Corrente sat out a second straight week due to illness. We hope to have more information next week. Ed Hochuli worked the Thursday night game with Corrente’s crew, in addition to being scheduled on Sunday.

Scott Green returns after a three-week absence due to a knee injury. Look for him on Sunday Night Football.

Bill Leavy returns to the city of Seattle for the first time since Super Bowl XL. Leavy admitted to “kicking” a few calls in the game, and it wasn’t until this season that Leavy was scheduled for a Seahawks game.

Thursday, Dec. 8

• Browns at Steelers: Ed Hochuli (Tony Corrente’s crew)

Sunday, Dec. 11

• Texans at Bengals: Ed Hochuli
• Vikings at Lions: John Parry
• Raiders at Packers: Pete Morelli
• Saints at Titans: Mike Carey
• Eagles at Dolphins: TBA, Ron Winter or Alberto Riverón
• Chiefs at Jets: Terry McAulay
• Patriots at Redskins: Jeff Triplette
• Falcons at Panthers: Walt Anderson
• Buccaneers at Jaguars: Jerome Boger
• Cots at Ravens: Clete Blakeman
• Bears at Broncos: Carl Cheffers
• 49ers at Falcons: TBA, Ron Winter or Alberto Riverón
• Bills at Chargers: Gene Steratore
• Giants at Cowboys: Scott Green

Monday, Dec. 12

• Rams at Seahawks: Bill Leavy

Credit: Football-refs.com