Detroit Lions lose on controversial call
The Chicago Bears defeated the Detroit Lions 19-14 at Soldier Field Sunday, thanks to a Jay Cutler 28-yard touchdown pass to Matt Forte with 1:32 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, the game will certainly be remembered and debated for what happened after.
On the ensuing kick-off, the Lions got the ball back on their own 17-yard line. Backup quarterback Shawn Hill then marched the Lions down field, eventually connecting on a 16-yard pass to Calvin Johnson at the Bears 25-yard line. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, Hill once again found Johnson in the end zone, who appeared to make a leaping one-hand catch for the go-ahead score. However, officials ruled the pass incomplete because Johnson failed to maintain possession through the completion of the play, losing the ball as he made his way to his feet after hitting the ground.
After a lengthy video review the play was upheld.
"I saw it exactly the way (the official) did. Didn't really think they had to look at the replay," said Chicago head coach Lovie Smith. "The rule says you have to come down and complete the catch all the way through. The ball came out at the end, so I thought it was pretty cut and dry."
Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz also downplayed the call but was upset with the outcome.
"The time I stand up here and start blaming officials for a loss is the time that I don't need to be doing this any more," said Schwartz. "We had chances to win the game, we had chances to put the game away. We battled the entire way but to point to one play like that for the reason we won or lost is not going to be us."
The Bears opened the scoring on the first drive of the game, after Robbie Gould hit a 20-yard field goal. Detroit then took the lead with 2:15 remaining in the first quarter after Jahvid Best found the end zone. Best then helped the Lions build up their lead to 14-3 after a four-yard run late in the second quarter. However, on the ensuing drive, the Bears were able to answer back after Cutler hit Forte with 1:03 left in the quarter to make the score 14-10.
Rather then run out the clock, the Lions then tried to push the ball, which proved costly as starting quarterback Matthew Stafford fumbled the ball after getting sacked by Julius Peppers and injured his throwing shoulder in the process causing him to leave the game. Gould then ended the half hitting a 31-yard field goal to make the score 14-13.
"We still have to do all the tests but it was significant enough to not put (Stafford) back in the game. It's too soon to know if or how long he'll be out," Schwartz said.
Both teams then failed to score in the third quarter, and most of the fourth before setting up the dramatic final two minutes of the game.
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