In one single motion Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler gave away a golden opportunity for the Broncos to score and take back the lead from the San Diego Chargers with just over a minute left in the game. Fortunately for Denver fans referee Ed Hochuli would give it back.
Facing second-and-goal from the one yard line Cutler stepped back to pass and had the ball slip from his hands to the turf. Taking a favorable bounce for the Chargers the ball wound up in the hands of a San Diego defensive player. It was an obvious turnover that would seal a victory for San Diego until Hochuli made a colossal mistake. blew his whistle, apparently ruling it an incomplete pass. After a review, Hochuli said that the Broncos would keep the ball because his whistle had blown the play dead. The Broncos got the ball at the 10-yard line, where it had hit the grass out of Cutler’s hands.
Two plays later, Cutler connected with Eddie Royal for a touchdown to make it 38-37. The Broncos would then be successful on a two-point conversion to come away with a 39-38 victory.
I’m not a fan of the Broncos or the Chargers but I know bogus when I see it. Ed Hochuli is one of better referees in the league and is even popular among the players but this will go down as one of the biggest official blunders of all time.
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