ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher says a mistake by the clock operator late in Sunday’s last-second loss at Detroit gave the Lions an extra timeout that completely changed how the finish played out.
The 40-second time clock started three or four seconds before the game clock resumed after quarterback Sam Bradford slid for a 3-yard gain close to the sideline. Fisher anticipated he could let the clock run to the two-minute warning, but instead had to call timeout with 2:03 to go with the play clock about to expire.
The Rams were set to run on third down after the two-minute warning, forcing the Lions to use their final timeout. Instead, Bradford threw an incompletion and Greg Zuerlein kicked a go-ahead 46-yard field goal.
The Lions had 1:55 to work with on their final drive. Matthew Stafford’s 5-yard pass to Kevin Smith with 10 seconds to go won it.
Talk to us
- You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing newstips@heraldnet.com or by calling 425-339-3428.
- If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to letters@heraldnet.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
- More contact information is here.