washington commanders Head coach Ron Rivera had little to say during his press conference Sunday night when asked about a controversial call and penalty late in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants that ultimately changed the outcome of the game. could change
With only a minute remaining on third-and-goal, star wideout Terry McLaurin was called for illegal construction, denying a clear Touchdown run by Brian Robinson Jr.
New York Giants linebacker Kevon Thibodaux, #5, and teammates celebrate after Thibodaux picks up a fumble and returns it for a touchdown during the New York Giants game vs. Washington Commanders on December 18, 2022 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland .
(Lee Coleman / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
McLaurin told reporters after the game that he was told by the sideline official that he had lined up legally before the play, even double-checking with him.
Giants-Commanders game ended with controversial no call in end zone: ‘It’s clearly a foul’
“I feel like I was on the ball the whole time. If you look at the game, I lined up almost every play. ‘ was like. Bit’ So when I went over, I checked to see if I was good and he said I was good. So… I’m not trying to get fined.
He continued, “It’s frustrating because I pride myself on my attention to detail and being detail oriented in everything I do. And with the game on the line, you don’t want to make a mistake to hurt your team and I just wanted to make sure that I was okay and I felt like I was with her for validation.”
Rivera was asked what she saw in the play, which prompted her to respond, “What did you guys see in the movie?”
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera reacts during the third quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 18, 2022 in Landover, Maryland.
(Todd Olszewski / Getty Images)
The reporter said he saw McLaurin gesturing to the referee.
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“Exactly what I thought too, thanks,” Rivera replied.
Just two plays later with another chance in the end zone, the officials missed an apparent pass interference call on Darnay Holmes as he covered Curtis Samuel.
“Yeah, I mean, I again — actually, don’t ask me about the refereeing because I can’t answer that question,” Rivera said, but he made no excuses for Sunday’s loss.
Darnay Holmes #30 of the New York Giants breaks up a pass intended for Curtis Samuel, #10 of the Washington Commanders during the 4th quarter at FedExField on December 18, 2022 in Landover, Maryland.
(Todd Olszewski / Getty Images)
Washington had two turnovers in the red zone in the final six minutes of the game that could have ultimately tied the score or put the Commanders ahead. Rivera said that without those key changes “the last series wouldn’t have mattered.”
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“It’s too big. We can’t do it,” he said. “We had our opportunities. We put ourselves down … we missed opportunities and we can’t do that. We talked about when we left last week that the red zone was something we needed to get better at.” And we didn’t do that. If we had done that, the last series wouldn’t have mattered.’
Samuel echoed that sentiment.
“I mean, I can’t control it. All I can do is try to play when the ball is in the air. I’m not a referee so I can’t do anything about it.”