Officially, It Was Another Tough Day For Nfl’s Referees

NFL officiating came under criticism all season. So it was no surprise that the refs took center stage in San Diego’s 22-21 victory over Miami in an AFC playoff Sunday.

Television replays showed that the officials erroneously awarded a third-quarter touchdown to Chargers running back Natrone Means, who stepped out of bounds at the Miami 2.

Later, an official ruled San Diego receiver Shawn Jefferson out of bounds on an apparent touchdown catch; TV replays again raised questions about the call.

But the most bizarre play came with 8 minutes 43 seconds remaining and the Dolphins clinging to a 21-15 lead. Tight end Keith Jackson caught a pass at his own 35-yard line. As two Chargers leaped onto his back, Jackson flipped the ball forward.

The Chargers immediately recovered what they thought was a fumble. But the refs ruled that Jackson had actually been trying to pass the ball (teammate Irving Fryar was off to his left) and, because he was already well beyond the line of scrimmage, had tried an illegal forward pass. Miami was assessed a 5-yard penalty and charged with a loss of down, but gained a net of 10 yards on the play.