Sports

Bill Belichick Ironically Rips NFL Officiating For Being Pro-Offense On Controversial Matt Stafford Pass

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Bill Belichick walks on the field.

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The Los Angeles Rams took down the Minnesota Vikings in NFL Playoff action on Monday night to advance to the divisional round. One controversial play in the first half helped make that outcome possible.

With his team up 10-3 at the start of the second quarter, QB Matthew Stafford dropped back to pass. He appeared to fumble upon being sacked by a Minnesota defender.

That loose ball was then scooped up and returned for a game-tying touchdown. The ruling on the field was a defensive score. A review quickly followed.

Officials overturned the call, stating that Stafford had actually thrown a forward pass. That ruling negated the touchdown and gave the ball back to Los Angeles.

Some called the pass a genius play on Stafford’s part. Others believed it should’ve been ruled a fumble, or at least intentional grounding.

Those watching along on the ManningCast got to see the real-time reactions of Peyton and Eli Manning, as well as guest Bill Belichick.

Each seemed to lean on the side of the play being a fumble. Belichick, however, had a feeling the call would eventually be overturned.

“They’re gonna call it a pass,” Belichick said after seeing the replays. “It’s an offensive league… There are no rules to help the defense in the NFL. You can get away with that… It’s an offensive league. You guys should coach defense in the NFL. You’d know what it’s like.”

Bill Belichick’s reaction to the Matthew Stafford pass was ironic.

Belichick is a defensive-minded coach. It makes sense that he’d rip officials for being “pro-offense” as it made his job more difficult when with the Patriots.

With that being said, he also benefitted from one of the most controversial calls in NFL history. And it was one that gave his offense the ball back in his first ever playoff game with the organization.

The Patriots benefitted from the Tuck Rule in an overtime win against the Raiders. The ruling played an impactful role in that final outcome, which kickstarted New England’s Super Bowl run.

Most, including Tom Brady, say it should’ve been a fumble. NFL officials ruled it a pass. The Patriots were the beneficiary of the “pro-offense” outlook.

Bill Belichick disagreed with the ruling on the Matthew Stafford play, as did many others. He might not have a leg to stand on when it comes to criticizing referees, though.