A Game-Saving Play and Missed Call Deny Detroit Lions Shot at First Win of Season

Thanks to a missed call by referees, the Detroit Lions were denied a shot to win their first game of the season on Monday night.

With less than two minutes to play in Monday night's game between the Lions and the Seattle Seahawks, it looked like Detroit's Calvin Johnson was about to score a touchdown.

Image source: Twitter

As Johnson dived towards the goal line, Seattle's Kam Chancellor punched the ball loose and into the end zone.

In a controversial move, Seattle linebacker K.J. Wright is seen slapping the bouncing ball out of the back of the end zone. The referees called a touchback, giving Seattle the ball on their 20-yard line. The Seahawks won the game 13-10.

It is a violation of the rules for a player to intentionally knock the ball out of the back of the end zone. CBS Sports reports, Dean Blandino, the NFL's head of officiating said a penalty should have been called.

If Wright's violation had been flagged, the Lions would have been given the ball inside the 1-yard line with a fresh set of downs.

Image source: Twitter

In a post-game press conference, Seahawks' coach Pete Carroll, the beneficiary of the missed call told the media Wright intentionally slapped the ball through the end zone, "He was trying to knock it out. He did that."

Detroit Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman reported Calvin Johnson's statement taking responsibility for the entire situation. "At the end of the day, I have to hang on to the ball," Johnson told reporters after the game.

Johnson when asked about batted ball: "At the end of the day I have to hang onto the ball. Can't leave it in officials hands."

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) October 6, 2015

Watch the controversial play:

Calvin Johnson For The Win?? KAM CHANCELLOR SAYS NO! What. A. Play. #DETvsSEA https://t.co/GKHSR6aXrA

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2015

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