Turning Point of the Game: Chargers robbed as false start not called against the Jaguars (VIDEO)
The Los Angeles Chargers lost 31-30 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game that put the Wild in the Wild Card round. Winning 27-0 at one point in the first half with just two minutes to go, the Chargers could only score three more points as the Jaguars came back to win it with the final kick of the game to score a field goal.
The match is done and dusted and Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson are moving on. Unfortunately, for them and their fans, Justin Herbert and Brandon Staley are going home. They will look back on the plays that doomed them. One crucial play was the missed field goal attempt in the second half by the usually reliable Cameron Dicker.
But what really emerged as the turning point in the game was when the Jaguars were trailing 30-20 in the final quarter. An uncalled false start on Jacksonville's Jawaan Taylor meant that Joey Bosa was unable to get leverage to put pressure on Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars quarterback threw for a touchdown pass and it counted, bringing the score to 30-26 in favor of the Chargers. If a false start had been called, the touchdown would not have counted and the down replayed with longer yards.
Missed false start here! #LACvsJAX https://t.co/cPlqsfwnPq
Missed false start call leads to further Chargers meltdown to the benefit of the Jaguars
The missed call incensed Joey Bosa, who angrily threw his helmet down twice on the sidelines. It is the kind of passion we see often; Tom Brady being one of the most notable culprits when it comes to breaking tablets on the sidelines when he is frustrated.
Instead, Bosa was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct even though he had not spoken to any opposing player or referee. The penalty that should have gone against Jacksonville ended up costing the Chargers instead. The penalty allowed the Jaguars to take a two-point conversion from the 1-yard line. Trevor Lawrence extended his full 6'6" frame to ensure the conversion.
Trevor Lawrence TOOK FLIGHT to secure the 2-point conversion 😱
https://t.co/zvE60ruXf3
Had it been a normal conversion, the distance would have doubled and Jacksonville might have taken the routine one-point conversion option. That could have left the scores at either 30-26 or 30-27 depending on whether they failed with a two-point conversion or scored a single point.
In both cases, the final field goal from Jacksonville would not have won it; that would have either lost them the game or tied the game and sent them to overtime. With all the hullabaloo of a famous comeback win, we could have done without yet another refereeing controversy determining the final outcome.