TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - A replay malfunction prevented a review of a fumble that resulted in the Carolina Panthers’ first touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, a person with knowledge of the NFL’s handling of the matter told The Associated Press.
The call would have been overturned to an incomplete pass had the equipment been working, the person added Tuesday. This backs the account given Monday by Cardinals coach Bruce Arians.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the NFL has not publicly discussed the matter.
The play early in Sunday’s game set the tone for what became a dominant 30-20 home victory for Carolina.
“Both the instant replay booth at the stadium and the … control room in New York were not receiving the proper feed,” the person said. “Had they been receiving the proper feed, the game would have been stopped for a review and the on-field ruling of a fumble would have been overturned to an incomplete pass.”
All touchdowns are supposed to be reviewed, but after Carolina’s Thomas Davis picked up the ball and ran 46 yards for a score there was no way to review it. The conversion kick came quickly and the call stood.
Television replays clearly showed Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer had shoved the ball forward in the direction of running back David Johnson. Palmer looked stunned when the touchdown was allowed, making a forward motion with his hand.
Arians said he was told the replay official “did not have the proper feed for instant replay, so they shut it down” to fix it.
The Arizona coach was asked at his news conference how he felt about the wrong call standing because of equipment failure.
“What do you think?” he said.
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