The NFL's controversial decision to review a critical two-point play in the Rams-Seahawks game was a pivotal moment that could have changed the course of the season for the Seahawks. The play in question, a potential game-changer, was initially ruled as an incomplete pass, but a delayed replay review turned it into a successful two-point conversion. But here's where it gets controversial... The NFL's rules analyst, Walt Anderson, glossed over the question of how and when someone realized the play was possibly a backward pass, and thus a live ball. And this is the part most people miss... The league office became aware of the wrinkle when Prime Video rules analyst Terry McAulay called Anderson to discuss the play. Without that phone call from McAulay, the review process wouldn't have been activated. The two points wouldn't have been awarded. The Seahawks may not have won the game, and Seattle may not have earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Rams, not the Seahawks, may have won the division, and Seattle may have had to play an extra playoff game. They may have had to play multiple postseason games away from Lumen Field. Ultimately, the Seahawks may not have made it to the Super Bowl. The delayed review made the game 30-30, with no additional points scored during regulation. The NFL, in an email to PFT, said this: 'Walt Anderson serves as the NFL rules analyst, and in that role, is in communication with our broadcast partners during games. Broadcast commentary, however, plays absolutely no role in officiating decisions.' The point isn't that the review was sparked by something McAulay said on the air. Our report, which neither McAulay nor the league refuted in response to our inquiries, is that a call from McAulay to Anderson prompted the review. In the end, they got it right, and McAulay saved the day. But they almost missed it. Without the inquiry from a broadcast partner's rules analyst, they apparently would have. Moving forward, here's hoping the NFL spots any and all potential replay reviews without getting a nudge from the outside. In cases like this, it's always better if the call is coming from inside the house.
