Officials' late-game call sparks controversy in Broncos' win over Rams
Denver defeated Los Angeles 30-26 after a defensive pass interference ruling gave the Broncos a first down in the final minutes, prompting debate over the officiating.
Denver rallied from a scoreless first half to beat the Los Angeles Rams 30-26 on Sunday Night Football, scoring the winning touchdown on a one-yard quarterback sneak with 47 seconds remaining. The decisive moment came late in the fourth quarter when Broncos quarterback Bo Nix threw toward the sideline and Rams defensive back Josh Wallace appeared to intercept the pass. Officials instead called defensive pass interference on Wallace, awarding Denver a first down that set up the game-winning score.
NBC’s rules analyst Terry McAulay said the penalty was questionable, noting that Wallace’s hands were on the receiver but did not see a clear hindrance, and that the receiver had also made contact during the play.
The Rams, who had led by three points with under two minutes left, were also penalized five times in the final two minutes, matching a league record for penalties in that span since 2000. The controversial call added to broader concerns about officiating consistency after a similar defensive pass interference ruling affected the outcome of a Cowboys-Ravens game earlier in the day.