Matthew Stafford saved himself eight yards by shoveling a forward pass toward Puka Nacua while in the grip of Minnesota Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard. It was a savvy veteran play — one that nearly cost the Los Angeles Rams seven points.
Stafford was attempting to escape Minnesota’s blitz-heavy attack in Monday night’s wild card game when Greenard began to wrap him up before he could properly toss a screen pass Nacua’s way. On the field, it looked as if the ball popped out of the veteran’s grasp and into the hands of Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman. It was ruled a fumble and subsequent touchdown, exactly what Minnesota needed to strike back after an early 10-0 deficit.
Incomplete pass or touchdown?? Stafford says he threw this forward. pic.twitter.com/826KfclEUK
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) January 14, 2025
However, that play would be ruled a forward pass — something that annoyed former eight-time Super Bowl winner, current North Carolina head coach and all-time defensive savant Bill Belichick as he watched from his post on ESPN’s alternate Manningcast.
Bill Belichick: It's an offensive league. What are you guys doin'? There's no rules to help the defense in the NFL. You can get away with that, and they call it an incomplete pass. It's an offensive league. You guys should coach defense in the NFL; you'd know what it's like." https://t.co/ULtyLTkMjd pic.twitter.com/P07oF0Ge2D
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 14, 2025
“What are you guys doin’,” complained Belichick when the call on the field was overturned. “There’s no rules to help the defense in the NFL. You can get away with that, and they call it an incomplete pass. It’s an offensive league.
“You guys [Peyton and Eli Manning] should coach defense in the NFL. You’d know what it’s like.”
The Rams weren’t even stung with an intentional grounding call since Nacua was in the area. They’d go on to punt, intercept Sam Darnold on the following drive, punt again and then return a Darnold fumble 57 yards for a touchdown of their own. This is because the football gods are a fickle bunch, but their one constant is an unyielding desire to destroy the hearts and minds of Vikings fans.
