Lions' Coach Jim Schwartz admits to lucky break against Vikings – NFL News
Detroit Lions' Coach Jim Schwartz admitted that his side got lucky avoiding a spot-on penalty call on the final play to win 34-28 against division rivals Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
"We grabbed the facemask," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said Monday. "But there's probably about three or four other plays in that game where guys got a facemask or guys got a hold. There were a couple fourth-down plays where I think
we're getting held that they convert fourth down.
The Lions were leading 34-28 with Vikings in possession of the ball. The Vikings replacement-quarterback Joe Webb who filled in for the underperforming Christian Ponder in the third period had got the Vikings within one scoring
play to victory. Webb had entered the game with Vikings losing by 31-14 and immediately rushed for 65-yards to score a brilliant touchdown. He then also showed his passing ability sending a 2-yard pass to Toby Gerhart to bring the score to 34-28.
Webb was not done however and drove the Vikings forward to within one-yard of the end-zone with only nine seconds left in regular time. On the resulting play Webb took possession and seemed to fumble the ball. Replays showed Lions
linebacker DeAndre Levy grabbing Webb’s facemask with the Lions recovering possession of the ball.
The officials however did not flag for a penalty which would have resulted in another attempt for the Vikings and the Lions luckily held on for the win.
Levy later responded to his actions saying that his side deserved a break after getting the majority of calls against them and deserved the victory.
Schwartz on Monday also admitted that a penalty would have been the right call. However, he went on to say that the NFL being so fast paced the officials have a tough job on their hands.
“I dare say, 90 percent of the plays that are played in the NFL, there's something that goes on somewhere that somebody either gets away with or gets called unrightfully so," he said. "That's not to be critical, that's just saying
it's a very, very difficult thing."
The victory keeps Detroit Lions in pole position for an NFC Playoff Wildcard spot. The Lions however have a tough schedule ahead facing the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and unbeaten Green Bay Packers. These three games may
well decide if the Lions will make it to their first playoff round since 1999.
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