ESPN broadcaster Joe Buck slammed the referees for missing a crucial penalty in the Atlanta Falcons’ 27-24 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Falcons kicked the go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter, giving the Rams the ball back with less than 30 seconds left and no timeouts. At second, Matthew Stafford fired deep to Tutu Atwell.
The pass fell incomplete around the 10-yard line as the ball bounced off Atwell’s right arm. The “Monday Night Football” broadcast then showed a replay of the incomplete pass, which showed Falcons cornerback Dee Alford grabbing Atwell’s left arm, preventing him from making the catch.
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“Maybe they missed a pass interference call,” Buck said when he saw the replay.
“I agree with you. He goes up with one arm, he keeps that arm down. I think that’s pass interference,” said rules analyst Russell Yurk.
“Look at Atwell’s left arm and the grab here, and don’t let his arm go up to make the catch. That’s a missed call,” Buck repeated.
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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) is unable to retrieve a pass as he is defended by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta on Monday, December 29, 2025. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)
Had defensive pass interference been called, the Rams would have moved deep into Falcons territory with a chance to go for a touchdown to win the game or kick a field goal to tie the game.
Instead, there was no call and play continued. On third down, Stafford hit star wide receiver Puka Nacua on the sideline for what looked like a spectacular one-handed catch right at the edge of field goal range.
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However, Nacua lost possession during a fall, leaving the Rams on fourth-and-10 with five seconds left. On fourth down, Stafford tried to connect with Nacua again, but the pass fell incomplete and the Falcons pulled off the upset.
The Rams dropped to 11-5 with the loss, but had already clinched a playoff spot. They can’t win the NFC West and will be the No. 5 or No. 6 seed depending on what happens in Week 18. The Rams play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at 4:25 PM ET.
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