BALTIMORE — After a critical loss with a score of 27-22 opponent Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday many of Baltimore Ravens questioned refereeing decisions – in particular, a canceled touchdown reception Isaiah Probably in the fourth quarter – it could cost them a chance to make the postseason.
The officials initially ruled that Probable scored on a 13-yard quarterback pass. Lamar Jackson — which would give the Ravens a one-point lead with 2:43 remaining — despite the tight end losing the ball in the end zone. Ravens coach John Harbaugh raised his arms enthusiastically, and Jackson celebrated by clapping for his teammates.
But less than a minute later, referee Alex Moore called it an incompletion. The ball was likely kicked out by a Steelers defender. Joey Porter Jr.. before he took the required third step in the end zone.
“I thought it was a touchdown, but the officials did what they wanted,” Jackson said. “They thought it was the right thing to do. So you have to deal with it. I can't do the job of a referee. That's what it is.”
During the game, Probability jumped to catch the ball. He lowered his right leg and then his left. Just before his right foot touched the ground again (which would have been the third step), the ball was likely released.
In the pool report, NFL vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth explained why overturning the touchdown was correct.
“Control is the first aspect of catch,” he said. “The second aspect was the two legs or body part within the field that he had. Then the third step is the normal action of the game, and before he could place his third foot, the ball was snatched. So it was an incomplete pass.”
There are several Ravens in the locker room, including running backs. Derrick Henryleft tackle Ronnie Stanley and wide receiver Rashad Bateman – said they thought it was a touchdown.
But Werley didn't say whether he thought about it.
“They made their decision,” Likely said, “and we’ll have to live with what the judges say at the end of the day.”
Porter said it was up to the referees to decide whether it was a touchdown or not.
“I’m just glad they didn’t pick a touchdown,” he said.
Harbaugh was in big trouble with a previously overturned call. With 6:26 left in the game and Baltimore trailing 27-22, it was initially believed that the Ravens linebacker Teddy Buchanan intercepted a pass at the Pittsburgh 32 after a fight with the Steelers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
But Rodgers replaced it with a catch.
“The striker was in control of the ball and when he hit the ground there was a hand there, but he never lost control of the ball and then his knees hit the ground,” Butterworth said in the pool report. “Therefore, by rule, he loses as a result of contact with control of the ball.”
Asked if it was still a technique even though it looked like Buchanan and Rodgers were sharing possession, Butterworth replied: “The forwards initially controlled the ball and were eventually knocked down by the contact.”
After the interception was overturned, Harbaugh put both hands on his head and yelled from the sideline, “This is wrong.”
He continued to challenge the decision after the game.
“When you fish, you need to survive on land. He didn’t survive on earth,” Harbaugh said. “He didn’t fall due to contact; he caught the ball on the way down with another person, so you need to catch the ball there and survive on the ground. I don't know why things were decided the way they were in this case.”
The loss left the Ravens (6-7) one game behind the Steelers (7-6) for first place in the AFC North with four weeks left. Baltimore's playoff chances have dropped to 31%, according to ESPN Analytics.
Jackson said his level of frustration is “off the charts.”
“I feel like [with] Thanksgiving game [against the Bengals]we shouldn't have lost this game. Unfortunately, it was a loss,” Jackson said. “But here I don’t know what happened.”
