The Tremendous Bowl LVII pairing is on the road throughout the NFL’s championship Sunday.

With two matchups of elite groups, each play might determine which crew advances. Every little thing counts — each name, each non-call, each resolution, each replay and each yard.

To that finish, let’s overview the main selections — and non-decisions — made by referees John Hussey (NFC) and Ron Torbert (AFC). We’ll check out the circumstances and the foundations concerned, and we’ll present some evaluation as nicely.

Bengals annoyed by Chiefs’ second probability by way of clock error

Cincinnati Bengals–Kansas City Chiefs AFC Championship Recreation, 10:29 remaining within the fourth quarter

What occurred: A failed third-down play by the Chiefs did not depend due to a clock error.

The way it was resolved: Because it turned out, a member of referee Ron Torbert’s crew tried to cease the play earlier than it began after noticing that the sport clock was working. It shouldn’t have been, as a result of on the earlier play, the Chiefs had thrown an incomplete go. The try and cease the play wasn’t seen or heard on the published, nor did gamers and coaches seem to note it. However as soon as any official guidelines a play useless, it is useless.

On the second try, the Chiefs have been awarded a primary down due to a defensive holding penalty towards the Bengals.

Evaluation: This was completely complicated in actual time however is sensible on reflection. Actual-time communication is essential in these conditions, and Torbert’s audio was not clear on the time. Ultimately, CBS confirmed a replay of the official attempting to cease the play and guidelines analyst Gene Steratore offered additional context and clarification. This was the proper final result, even because it was understandably irritating to the Bengals

What occurred on Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s last problem?

Bengals-Chiefs AFC Championship Game, 6:07 remaining within the third quarter

What occurred: Chiefs receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught a go from quarterback Patrick Mahomes on third-and-7 from the Bengals’ 26-yard line. Stopped by the Bengals’ protection on the 20-yard line, Valdes-Scantling briefly caught the ball out towards the road to realize, however referee Torbert’s crew noticed the ball 1 yard in need of the primary down.

The way it was resolved: Quite than go for it on fourth-and-1, Chiefs coach Andy Reid used his second and last problem. After a overview, Torbert introduced that Valdes-Scantling had in reality reached the road to realize and awarded the Chiefs a primary down.

Evaluation: This was an uncommon play as a result of Valdes-Scantling prolonged the ball, then introduced it again in earlier than the whistle, presumably to keep away from a turnover. CBS did not present many replays on the published, however the NFL’s command middle in New York Metropolis has on the spot entry to all of them.

Usually talking, ball carriers will likely be given the furthest attain level on a spot (or a overview of 1) so long as they’re being pushed again or held again by a protection. That was the case right here. Valdes-Scantling’s attain was thought of his furthest level of ahead progress, and the command middle decided that it was sufficient for a primary down.

Did Brett Kern‘s punt hit the SkyCam wire?

49ers-Eagles NFC Championship Game, 15 seconds remaining within the first quarter

What occurred: Eagles punter Brett Kern hit an uncharacteristically brief punt, a 34-yarder from the Eagles’ 26-yard line to the 49ers’ 40. Kern and others on the Eagles’ sideline instantly started signaling that the ball hit the wire that holds Fox’s SkyCam in place over the sector.

The way it was resolved: In line with NFL guidelines, if the ball hits a overseas object on the sector — together with a wire or a scoreboard — the down is replayed from the unique line of scrimmage and the sport clock is restored. On this case, the Eagles would have gotten an opportunity to get off a greater punt.

The in-stadium replay official can provoke a problem in such an occasion, and not using a coach needing to throw his crimson flag. However Hussey introduced that it couldn’t be confirmed that the ball hit the wire.

Evaluation: Reversing any eligible on-field resolution requires clear and apparent proof. On this case, that might imply a view that confirmed the ball hitting the wire. If one existed, we did not see it on the published.

Some prompt on social media that the NFL ought to examine to see whether or not the SkyCam video feed was shaking because of the ball hitting the wire. However it might have been tough to think about that clear and apparent, given the potential of one other clarification — similar to wind — for a shaky video feed.

Ought to replay officers have reviewed DeVonta Smith‘s catch on fourth-and-3?

49ers-Eagles NFC Championship Game, 10:28 remaining within the first quarter

What occurred: Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith was credited with a leaping 29-yard catch alongside the left sideline on fourth-and-3 to the 49ers’ 6-yard line, extending their opening possession of the sport. Smith jumped up shortly after the play, apparently signaling the Eagles to rush to the road of scrimmage for the subsequent play.

The way it was resolved: The Eagles have been able to run the subsequent play shortly and acquired the snap off 28 seconds after the earlier snap. That made the play irreversible even when replays later confirmed proof of a drop.

Evaluation: Fox confirmed a replay a number of minutes later that clearly confirmed the ball hitting the bottom earlier than Smith had totally secured it by way of the NFL’s catch rule. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan by no means challenged it, possible as a result of his coaches and advisers within the sales space did not see the definitive replay in time. However there was one other manner the decision might have been rectified.

The NFL instituted a brand new rule initially of the 2021 season, alternately often known as the “replay help” or “expedited overview” rule, that permits both an on-site replay official or a member of the league workplace in New York to make a fast reversal when there may be instant, clear and apparent proof that one is critical. To make the method extra environment friendly, the NFL imported Hawk-Eye replay expertise that pulls in all replays instantaneously relatively than ready for the published community to place them on air.

The method has been met with rave opinions and has helped in shortening the average length of games over the previous two seasons. However for causes that weren’t instantly clear, it was not employed on this case.

Wanted 3, acquired 29 🤯@DeVontaSmith_6 | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/SFd2Tb0p3N

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 29, 2023