Ball don’t lie: 3 worst calls from Week 10 of the 2021 NFL season
By Mark Powell
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers lucks into fumble recovery
In the second quarter of the Packers-Seahawks game, Green Bay received an unlikely advantage courtesy of the officials. Rodgers fumbled the snap (it’s unclear whose fault that was, the center or Rodgers) and appeared to lose the ball to the Seahawks. Seattle came away with the football after a scrum, but was not rewarded possession.
Whenever there is simultaneous recovery of a loose ball, the ball is returned to the team who was last in possession of it. Therefore, GB retained possession. #SEAvsGB pic.twitter.com/fyJID3UZR0
— NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) November 14, 2021
The officiating crew determined both Rodgers and the Seahawks defense had simultaneous possession, meaning the ball is rewarded to the offense. However, in the replay it looks like Rodgers only has one hand on the ball before the Seahawks come away with it. After a brief fight at the bottom of the pile, the Seahawks won the battle.
Is this not a clear recovery?
Apparently not. Pete Carroll challenged the play, but as is usually the case with fumble recoveries, the officials went with the call on the field. Rodgers held onto the ball, and the Seahawks offense was not given a short field. Seattle failed to score on the day, losing to the Packers, 17-0.