The Oakland Raiders and that folded piece of paper: ‘C’mon, man!’
Just when you thought you have seen it all with the Oakland Raiders, Sunday Night Football happened and everything changed.
The Oakland Raiders have had their fair share of controversy in their history. The Holy Roller and the Tuck Rule are just two examples of times where the Raiders involved in some questionable officiating calls. While the Holy Roller went in our favor, the Tuck Rule most certainly did not.
Undoubtedly, most everyone reading this post is at least aware of the Tuck Rule game. If you do not know what I am referring to, you need your Raiders fan card revoked. Seriously though, Google it if you are unfamiliar with the Tuck Rule game. Essentially, it was the beginning of the New England Patriots’ dynasty and the beginning of the end for the Raiders’.
Regardless, tonight, the Raiders were victims of one of the oddest plays ever in the history of the NFL. Yes, there was the Dez Bryant play a few years back, the two aforementioned plays, and many more; but this was just something else.
Late in the fourth quarter of the Sunday Night Football game between the Raiders and the Cowboys, the referees resorted to, well, unconventional methods to solve a problem. The Cowboys went for it on fourth-and-one, running a quarterback sneak with Dak Prescott. After video review, the spot of the ball was inconclusive and the referees just stuck with the spot they felt was best.
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In typical protocol, Gene Steratore called for the chains to be used. After closer inspection, the call was too close to be made based on the eye test. What happened next is something that will undoubtedly be discussed for years to come. Steratore grabbed a piece of paper from his pocket and folded it in half and stuck it between the nose of the ball and the first down marker. Most people assume that his logic was simple, “if the paper fits between the ball and the marker, it is not a first down”.
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Well, as everyone knows by now, the paper did not fit. Perhaps it was because it was folded. Or perhaps it is because Office Depot produces an index card that is too thick. Regardless, the Cowboys were awarded the first down and went on to win the game.
Now I am not saying it excuses the long pass to Bryant on the next play. And it surely does not excuse Derek Carr fumbling out of the endzone for a touchback to end the game. But neither of those things are likely to happen if the referees got the call right on the fourth down.
The Raiders lost the game because of how they played. A missed field goal at the end of the first half is the difference in the game, not the fourth down call. But it is simply a matter of precedent. I, similarly to many other football fans including the Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, have never seen an index card be used to determine a first down. As the saying goes, there is a first time for everything.
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As a Raiders fan, thank you Mr. Steratore for providing me entertainment tonight. Your smile as you made the call to eliminate the Raiders from the playoffs was picture perfect. In no way were the Raiders deserving of a playoff berth, but they did not deserve to lose like this. I guess there is always next year, right?