Week 15, 2025
Rams TD, apparently short of the goal, ‘stands’ in replay
Colby Parkinson has a knee down at the 1, so why no overturn?
It is definitely a head scratcher, and Fox Sports rules analyst Dean Blandino called the ruling “a stretch.”
Late in the third quarter, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford found tight end Colby Parkinson at the goal line, who snagged a catch while sliding into the end zone. Because it is a scoring play, the replay booth will review the play. Initial looks show Parkinson with his knee down in the field of play with the ball at the 1, which lead most people — us included — to expected this would be a quick overturn to be short of the goal line.
Since I am still explaining this, we can already tell that that expectation was not met.
Before explaining the replay ruling, we must remember how replay works under the philosophy that they are not re-officiating the play. They are not confirming the call on the field, but looking for clear and obvious evidence that the call on the field is incorrect.
In evaluating the touchdown call, the replay official “sees smoke” — replay terminology that there’s a reviewable element of the play that needs further scrutiny. The knee down at the 1 is fairly clear and obvious evidence of being short, but replay must also establish possession of the pass by Parkinson. Possession, as we know, is not a momentary freeze-frame, it is a process that requires an element of time to complete that process.
Replay determined that the ball was moving in Parkinson’s hand, and therefore calling into question whether he did have possession when his knee was down. The ball goes out of view and then Parkinson is seen with complete control in the end zone. At no point is there evidence that the ball touched the ground, which would render the pass incomplete.
A receiver can have the ball move in his hand slightly if continuous control is maintained. Replay felt that there was separation, or at least a doubt cast that they could overturn the call on the field. Importantly, it was not a confirmation that a touchdown was the correct call, only that they did not feel the evidence was clear and obvious under the replay standards. Therefore, the call on the field stands. The same standard has this same play, if ruled short of the end zone on the field, not being overturned to a touchdown, which can be an unsatisfying answer to many fans.
Blandino — who was on the NFL replay staff when these standards were established in 1999 — was tasked with explaining this to the home audience, but he was not in favor of the ruling. To me, it does appear to be a hypertechnical ruling to go with “stands,” as there seems to be a strong case for continuous possession.
In the end, replay is a tool, but it is the claw end of the hammer, not the business end of the hammer. Even though it looks like a touchdown, the process, for all its benefits and flaws, did not allow for a reversal here.
Discover more from Football Zebras
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Post your comment here
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Anonymous
December 15, 2025 at 7:10 am
Why didn’t they rule it incomplete when he lost possession of the ball when he rolled out of bounds? The catch process was not completed at the one yard line, he continued into the endzone, stopped ruled as a catch, and not continued as a process when he lost control out of bounds. The refs chose to freeze frame possession when it was a touchdown.
Anonymous
December 15, 2025 at 8:41 am
Are you kidding me?
We can all see its not a touchdown.
And if we want to argue possession what about the receiver laying half way outta bounds bounds while still gaining control?
This is indefensible and yet… here you are. Defending it.
Refs never make mistakes. Even though replay shows one thing. The refs on thr field know more than you and this call is right. – football zebras.
You do realize there is a HUGE perception of bias right? And time and time again. Every weekend. Every game. You get on here and spout off ignorance, blindness, and act as a mouth peice for something an average person can see is flawed.
Instead of acting like the refs are never wrong. You should admit there is a massive issue with trust.
Anonymous
December 15, 2025 at 9:14 am
If the receiver loses control of the ball going to the ground how is the catch completed? That’s one of the elements of a completed catch. But if the receiver maintains control as he goes to the ground after being touched by a defender how is he not down when his knee touches?
The tortuous reasoning behind the review flies in the face of logic and does not help the perception that this is one of the roughest seasons for the officials in quite a while.
Anonymous
December 23, 2025 at 6:55 am
Officiating Controversies (2020–2025)
1. Taylor Decker “Ineligible Receiver” (Dec 30, 2023, vs. Cowboys) The Lions appeared to win with a 2-point conversion catch by Decker. However, officials ruled he hadn’t reported as eligible, despite video suggesting he had. Detroit lost 20–19.
2. Missed Delay of Game (Sept 26, 2021, vs. Ravens) The play clock clearly expired before the snap on a 4th-down attempt. No flag was thrown, allowing Justin Tucker to kick an NFL-record 66-yard field goal to win 19–17.
3. The St. Brown OPI / Goff Lateral (Dec 21, 2025, vs. Steelers) In the final seconds, a chaotic lateral play resulted in a Jared Goff touchdown. It was nullified by an offensive pass interference call on Amon-Ra St. Brown, ending the game in a 29–24 loss.
4. The Isaac TeSlaa “Pick” OPI (Dec 21, 2025, vs. Steelers) Earlier on the same final drive, a touchdown pass to St. Brown was called back because TeSlaa was ruled to have set an illegal pick, though replays suggested he was jammed into the defender.
5. Goff Receiving TD / Illegal Motion (Oct 12, 2025, vs. Chiefs) A trick play touchdown for Goff was wiped out by a late “illegal motion” flag. Reports later suggested the call came from the league office in New York, sparking “rigged” allegations.
6. The Rock Ya-Sin “Terrible” DPI (Nov 16, 2025, vs. Eagles) On a crucial 3rd-and-8, Ya-Sin was flagged for pass interference. Broadcasters called it a “terrible” call that essentially iced the game for Philadelphia.
7. Colby Parkinson TD Upheld (Dec 14, 2025, vs. Rams) Despite video evidence showing Parkinson’s knee was down short of the goal line, the touchdown stood after review, leaving rules analysts like Dean Blandino “speechless.”
8. The Packers’ “Gifted” Timeout (Nov 27, 2025, vs. Packers) On Thanksgiving, the Packers were granted a timeout after an apparent false start on 4th down. They scored on the reset play and won the game 31–24.
9. Missed Holding on Aidan Hutchinson (Sept 17, 2023, vs. Seahawks) On Seattle’s game-winning touchdown pass in overtime, a blatant jersey tug on Hutchinson went uncalled, allowing Geno Smith the extra second needed to throw the score.
10. Tracy Walker Roughing the Passer (Jan 3, 2021, vs. Vikings) Walker was flagged for a hit on Kirk Cousins that many deemed a standard football play. The penalty extended a drive that led to a Vikings touchdown in a 4-point game.
11. Marvin Jones TD Catch Overturn (Jan 3, 2021, vs. Vikings) A Jones touchdown was called back after review despite the ball appearing to be secured before hitting the turf. The Lions eventually lost the season finale 37–35.
12. The “One Second” Clock Controversy (Oct 20, 2024, vs. Vikings) Controversy erupted over whether a spike occurred with time remaining. Officials left one second on the clock for Minnesota, leading to a frantic finish.
13. Desmond Trufant Pass Interference (Nov 15, 2020, vs. Washington) Analyst Bill Barnwell called this “one of the worst calls of the year.” Trufant was flagged for minimal contact, though the Lions eventually overcame it to win 30–27.
14. The Cade Otton “Spot” Challenge (Oct 19, 2025, vs. Buccaneers) A controversial spot on a 4th-down conversion led to a lengthy review process that Lions fans felt favored the Buccaneers’ momentum, despite the eventual outcome.
15. Missed Grounding on Jalen Hurts (Sept 11, 2022, vs. Eagles) In a tight season opener, Hurts threw a ball away while under pressure in the red zone with no receiver nearby. The NFL later admitted grounding should have been called.