NFL Explains Why Clock Ran Out At End Of Lions/Saints Game

by Sean Yuille on Jan 12, 2012 11:36 AM EST in Detroit Lions News

At the end of last Saturday's game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints, the clock ran out despite the fact that Drew Brees took a knee on fourth down. Because there was a change of possession, the clock should have stopped, giving the Lions the ball and time for a few more plays.

Because this odd ending didn't affect the outcome of the game, it was initially overlooked by many. I personally didn't notice the oddity until I was going through the play-by-play of the game for the recap. When I saw that the game ended on a kneel-down on fourth down, I thought it was simply a mistake in the play-by-play. It turns out that wasn't the case and the game actually did end the way the play-by-play stated.

This week, the NFL was asked about whether or not this ruling was a mistake. Already the league admitted mistakes were made on the inadvertent whistle/fumble situation from earlier in this game, but this time the NFL said the referees made the right call. Here's why:

"It was a common-sense judgment call by Tony Corrente, the referee," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told PFT via email. "After that fourth-down kneel by Brees, both teams on the field started shaking hands, both teams on the sidelines started coming on to the field. The Lions clearly had no intention of running a play. The officials would have had to clear the field and bring both teams back out for the purpose of Detroit taking a knee. It is not considered a mistake by the officials."

Obviously the Lions weren't about to score 17 points in half a minute. It just seems odd to me that the referees would bend the rules to run out the clock. I definitely understand why they let the clock run considering both teams were already on the field, and in the grand scheme of things it's not a huge deal. Then again, it is yet another sign of how questionable the officiating can be at times, and those who bet on the Lions to cover and were holding out hope for a garbage-time touchdown probably were pretty upset with what transpired.

Personally, I think the fact that the NFL had to address multiple calls from one game speaks for itself.

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Comments

I see this all the time on OOB calls

The carrier goes out of bounds (especially in the first half) and they continue to run the clock. Happens all the time.

by weyun on Jan 12, 2012 11:44 AM EST reply actions

This is correct.

Per NFL rules: "With the exception of the last two minutes of the first half and the last five minutes of the second half, the game clock will be restarted following a kickoff return, a player going out of bounds on a play from scrimmage, or after declined penalties when appropriate on the referee’s signal. "

by kdbolt70 on Jan 12, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

I'm fine with this

It was clear Detroit had no intention on playing anymore, we seemed pretty content walking on the field knowing time was left. Even if they put the time back on we would have just kneeled it, so the whole covering the spread talk wouldn’t matter anyways.

by JWurm on Jan 12, 2012 11:52 AM EST reply actions

Now all those other officiating mistakes

Those are the real problems

by JWurm on Jan 12, 2012 11:53 AM EST reply actions

Incompetent boobery

Perpetrated by incompetent boobs

"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short

by YpsilantiJeff on Jan 12, 2012 1:25 PM EST reply actions

Its all good

because the Saints won the game, that was the desired outcome of the game. We get the ref with cancer and he blew only 4 or 5 calls for the Lions. Nothing to see here. Just spot that ball favorably for the Saints and like it. You say they were throwing down our defensive linemen on almost every touchdown? Nothing to see here, just except the shaft right in the ass Lions fans.

by LionsD on Jan 12, 2012 1:58 PM EST reply actions

I'm glad there was no more cock

The Saints would have just put 7 more points on us. No reason to make things worse.

by hasselhoff on Jan 12, 2012 2:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions

that was an amusing typo :)

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
-Aristotle

by UndaDawg on Jan 12, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

Accurate though

I felt exactly the same way.

Though I must admit, as much as I thought the refs would slip it to us during the game, I never thought it would come to out and out buggery in the middle of the field….

"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short

by YpsilantiJeff on Jan 12, 2012 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

oops

My laptop boogered out so I’m typing on this phone. It’s been a tough year.

by hasselhoff on Jan 12, 2012 4:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

*clock

by hasselhoff on Jan 12, 2012 4:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Not funny if you

bet the Lions +10.5 and they should get the ball back with 30 secs.

by jeremy j on Jan 12, 2012 3:15 PM EST reply actions

Betting on games is your problem, not the Lions or the refs.

No slogans. Just win!!!

by drgarnett on Jan 12, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions

I never bet on games

but was tempted to put a high wager on the Broncos/Steelers game. Being laid off for a year I’m glad I didn’t. That taught me to never bet on the NFL, unless its under 20 bucks.

by hasselhoff on Jan 12, 2012 4:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Again the Lions had no intention of running anymore plays

If they put the time back on, Detroit would’ve just ran the time out. You lost anyways,

by JWurm on Jan 12, 2012 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

Since when....

are ‘common-sense judgement calls’ allowed by NFL referees? Common sense says that Calvin made that catch in Week 1 against the Bears but they are told to go by the letter of the law…ALWAYS. Why does Tony Corrente get to use common sense? If he uses it…we’ll all use it…it’ll be anarchy!

by gotothejoe on Jan 12, 2012 4:27 PM EST reply actions

This is actually a common practice by refs in all sports

My friend who is a ref for multiple sports primarily high school has often talked about letting the clock run in games that are clearly over. While I am not happy with the officiating in the game, this is such a non issue that it really doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

This is not meant to excuse the other calls but really this is a non issue.

by GTlions on Jan 12, 2012 7:16 PM EST reply actions

This sums up my thoughts on the matter.

Anyone that feels griped by this should really consider the logistics of having to send everybody back to their bench just so the Lions can take a knee, “for protocol.”

"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson

by Mavyrk on Jan 12, 2012 9:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

timekeeping

i hate to start off on a conspiratorial note as this is my first post but in the saints game on the lions drive with about 6 minutes or so left on clock there were a couple back to back pass plays where the receiver got out-of-bounds but the clock didn’t stop and just kept rolling… not a biggie as the lions were significantly down at that point but super sloppy nonetheless and questionable

by AKlion on Jan 15, 2012 8:26 PM EST reply actions