The Detroit Lions' season just started, and they are already in the controversy spotlight.
Midway through the second quarter of their opener against the Saints on Sunday, Sept. 13, Lions quarterback Jared Goff was rocked by Saints defensive end Chase Young. The ball flew backward and was eventually scooped up by the Saints for a touchdown.
Or so it seemed.
Jared Goff fumble, New Orleans Saints scoop and score! pic.twitter.com/lqeFYXeybU
— Spread Bistro (@SpreadBistro) September 13, 2026
After review, officials determined Goff had started his throwing motion and intended to throw the ball forward, negating the fumble and allowing the Lions to punt instead of seeing the game tied 7-7.
It caught just about everyone by surprise, since typically a ball thrown backward − even without being hit − is ruled
a fumble. But at least in this instance, officials determined the ball was dead.
Jared Goff just threw the ball backwards on a sack, and it was ruled a forward pass because he had started his throwing motion.
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) September 13, 2026
That is a wild rule. Makes no sense. Took 7 points off the board for the Saints.
That's an extremely tough call for the refs to make in Detroit, nullifying Saints' touchdown. Doesn't reply review have to be clear and obvious?
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) September 13, 2026
Geez.
Lions get bailed out. Review calls it a forward pass.
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) September 13, 2026
Because Jared Goff was extra careless with his ball security there, the refs can determine he planned to eventually throw it?
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) September 13, 2026
I thought I saw that gentleman throw the ball backward. But, hey, I guess not.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) September 13, 2026
It seems we learn something new about the NFL every day. We'll have to see if another similar play happens this year and how consistent the referees are with this ruling.
The controversial call wasn't even the only one of the half, as the Lions found themselves on the flip side of the second decision.
Jahmyr Gibbs caught a pass for the Lions and was trying to turn a small gain into a big one when he was blindsided from the side and started to fumble almost simultaneously as he was going down. Ultimately refs gave the ball to the Saints as they ruled Gibbs' hand came off the ball just before he went down.
NFL refs giveth, and NFL refs taketh away.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions spared a score off turnover thanks to controversial call
