In a thrilling Week 1 matchup that certainly lived up to the hype, the Detroit Lions emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Rams in overtime, capping off an exhilarating Sunday Night Football game.
The game was broadcast on NBC, with Cris Collinsworth providing color commentary alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico.
However, a confusing moment during Collinsworth’s commentary led to some raised eyebrows.
As the Lions drove into Rams territory on the first possession of overtime, Collinsworth seemed to be under the impression that Detroit should focus on setting up a field goal rather than going for a touchdown.
At the time, the Lions had a first down inside the Rams’ 20-yard line, and Collinsworth began discussing field goal strategy.
“You start thinking about it, right?” Collinsworth said. “You start thinking about how much do you need before you’re gonna go line up and kick it? You start thinking about which side do you want your kicker to be able to kick it from?
“It’s coming so easily right now. I don’t think you’ll see ’em take big chances. I just think they’ll play under control, really get to third down and maybe kick it then.”
While this might seem like sound advice in sudden death overtime, the rules have of course changed.
Under the NFL’s current overtime rules, a team scoring a touchdown on the first possession of overtime automatically wins the game, eliminating the need for a field goal.
Tirico had already clarified this during the broadcast, reminding viewers that the Lions needed a touchdown to end the game, a point he reiterated just before Collinsworth’s comments.
The NFL’s overtime rules, updated in 2012, are clear: if the team with the first possession scores a touchdown, the game ends. A field goal, however, would give the opposing team a chance to respond.
In this case, the Lions’ primary goal was to reach the end zone.
Though Collinsworth’s commentary might have made more sense in certain situations, it’s clear that he just simply forgot the rules – which is pretty shocking to say the least.
What are your thoughts on Collinsworth’s surprising mistake?
As far as actual football is concerned, what are your thoughts on the game?
Everyone knows how dangerous the Lions are – but the Rams figure to make plenty of noise this season as well … Do you think these two will run into each other again in the playoffs???