Getty Image / Kyle Shanahan
Typically, the NFL review process is pretty good about getting calls right. So, when San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan challenged a huge play in the 49ers-Seahawks Thursday Night Football game, he figured the on-field officials and NFL Command Center would get it right.
Instead, everyone dropped the ball, so to speak, and a play that should’ve been clearly overturned was not.
The 49ers led the Seahawks by as much as 20 early in the second-half, but a Seahawks rally made it a six-point game late in the third quarter. Early in the 4th quarter, the Seattle defense forced a punt to get the ball back to their offense with a chance to take the lead.
On the ensuing punt, there was a bit of chaos around punt returner Dee Williams, with a 49er making contact with Williams. A flag was thrown, but was correctly picked up due to the 49er being pushed into Williams. And, it was close to hitting Williams for a muffed punt, with a clear recovery by the 49ers occurring immediately after. The ruling on the field was no muff, first down Seahawks. Here’s the slo-mo.
The refs with another blown call.
The ball clearly hits #Seattle on the punt reception and then the #49ers recover it.
Refs say NOPE. NOT TOUCH after reviewing it for hours.#SFvsSEA pic.twitter.com/LHnY6CR3oR
— Mike McDaniel (@MikMcDaniel) October 11, 2024
As you can see, it clearly hits Williams, and it should be 49ers’ ball.
Seahawks clearly touch punt.
49ers clearly recover the fumble.
Refs review the play.
Don't give the ball to the 49ers.
Why even have review if you get it 100% wrong?#49ers #NFL pic.twitter.com/x60p1MUi1C— DAN (@danWorthington) October 11, 2024
They upheld the call on the field though, and here’s why.
The broadcast just said they talked to the NFL's central command folks and they only had raw footage from the punt that should have been a Seahawks muff. Didn't get the enhanced view.
What's the point of the central command if they don't have that footage?
— David Fucillo (@davidfucillo) October 11, 2024
That explanation isn’t going to fly. How does Amazon, who broadcast the game, have better footage than the NFL? That has to change.
Thankfully, it didn’t impact who won or lost, as the 49ers won, 36-24.