### Controversial Missed Call Ends Vikings’ Comeback Hopes Against Rams

The Los Angeles Rams clinched a contentious victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8, ending the game with a disputed play. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked in the end zone for a safety while attempting to level the score in the final moments. During the sack, Rams linebacker Byron Young appeared to grab Darnold's face mask, but this infraction went unnoticed by the game officials.

After the game, PFWA Pool Reporter Calvin Watkins spoke with referee Tra Blake to understand why the face mask penalty was missed. Blake attributed the oversight to poor visibility. He explained that he could not see Darnold's face mask being pulled because the quarterback was facing away from him. Additionally, the umpire, who might have had a better angle, was obstructed by other players and also did not spot the infraction.

Watkins probed further, asking Blake if the crew discussed the potential missed call given the Vikings' obvious frustration on the field. Blake confirmed that while the crew did discuss the Vikings' complaints, none of the officials had witnessed the face mask being pulled, preventing them from making the call.

When questioned about whether the play could have been reviewed, Blake noted that such a call is not reviewable under current NFL rules. If a flag had been thrown for the face mask penalty, the Vikings would have gained 15 crucial yards, which could have significantly impacted their chances of tying the game.

This incident underscores the challenges officials face in catching every detail during fast-paced plays. However, it also highlights a potential area for the NFL to reconsider its rules, particularly regarding the reviewability of critical game-ending plays.