When the Cincinnati Bengals look back at their Super Bowl loss to the Los Angeles Rams, several plays will stand out where they could have done something different to get better results. But the one play that may stand out the most is the one where they appeared to do everything right.
On a Rams third-and-goal from the 8-yard line, with under two minutes to play and Cincy protecting a 20-16 lead, Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson was flagged for pass interference on a throw from Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp.
The only problem is he appeared to play the ball perfectly.
You call this on the Super Bowl? with literally the game on the line?
Weakkkpic.twitter.com/EGdfsnAXu4
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 14, 2022
There was certainly contact on the play, but it didn’t look like Wilson held Kupp or stopped his momentum in any way. What he did was jump in front of him and deflect the pass, just as it was arriving.
Had the play stood, the Rams would have faced a fourth down, needing to get into the end zone.
The refs threw the flag for Defensive Pass Interference on the play that wasn’t DPI. 55 played that perfectly.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 14, 2022
I don't get the refs holding the flags the entire game then 💥. It was absolutely perfect letting em play. That pass interference call on linebacker Logan Wilson was awful. 😒
— Scott Shanle (@scottshanle) February 14, 2022
#SuperBowl The bengals should have won this game. I’m just a football fan watching a game, no favorite here, but clear as day they got called for pass interference on a fantastic defensive play. Watch yourself👀. pic.twitter.com/z0SSbb8OIL
— LG (@TheLGularte) February 14, 2022
The automatic first down on the pass interference call put the Rams in possession to eventually score the go-ahead touchdown.
That play was far from the only determining factor in the outcome of the game. Cincinnati did get another possession and failed to move into position for a game-tying field goal. But it certainly helped the Rams grab a late lead and do something they mostly struggled to do throughout the game, score touchdowns.
It’s a play that’s sure to linger in the minds of the Bengals and their fans.
