Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts was credited with two touchdowns during the first half of Sunday’s NFL game against the Buccaneers. However, the second score probably should’ve been overturned.
The former No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft got away with an awful blunder on a questionable ruling by the officials.
It seemed as though Kyle Pitts dropped the ball right before he crossed the goal line. Tampa Bay safety Antoine Winfield appeared to knock the fumble out of the back of the end zone, which would typically result in a touchback but video evidence was not indisputable so the call on the field stood. Six points were awarded to the visitors even though their 6-foot-6, 250-pound pass-catcher appeared to lose possession at the worst-possible moment.
Here is the play in question and the slow-mo replay as provided by Fox:
Oh no…
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 27, 2024
It looked like Pitts had his 2nd TD of the day… But did he lose the ball before reaching the endzone??
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Wbagh2hT7l
Once you slow it down, it seems pretty clear that the ball was out prior to the goal line or, at the very least, right on the goal line. Either way, it would be ruled as a touchback.
And yet, for some unknown reason, the NFL did not seem to have access to the pylon angle. Fox never showed a video from a camera that was angled down the goal line. It is unclear as to whether the replay crew was able to see something different, but the final decision would indicate no.
The call on the field was a touchdown. After a lengthy review, officials determined that the call on the field would stand. It was neither confirmed nor overturned.
If the NFL did not have access to a goal line angle, there needs to be an explanation for why not.There should be a camera in every corner of every stadium to avoid this exact situation.