Sometimes NFL officials get it right. Sometimes they get it wrong. And when that happens, the NFL often acknowledges the mistake to its teams, as it did with the Los Angeles Rams and their controversial pass interference call against the Denver Broncos.
The NFL has apparently admitted its officials were wrong to call pass interference on Rams defensive back Josh Wallace in the Sunday Night Football game.
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That call almost certainly cost the Rams the game.
Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday he was told by the league that Wallace should not have been called for defensive pass interference on that play.
Huge if true.
The NFL did not immediately respond to an email from OutKick seeking confirmation that the league acknowledged the officiating mistake to McVay. So we’re going on his word only.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/John Amis)
But the coach has no reason to lie.
The penalty against Wallace was a double whammy. It negated what would have been a potential game-sealing interception with 1:09 remaining to play and the Rams leading 26-23.
The blown call instead resulted in pass interference against Wallace and the Rams. That gave the Broncos a first-and-goal situation at the Los Angeles 7-yard line, setting up a touchdown six plays later and a 30-26 Broncos win.
It should be noted that Wallace did indeed make contact with Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant.
Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo., on Sept. 27, 2026. (Getty Images)
But in a league that often prefers to let players decide games in the final minutes rather than having officials determine the outcome, referee Bill Vinovich’s crew stepped in, and they pretty much helped decide the game.
Regardless of the mistake, the NFL is not awarding the Rams anything other than maybe some satisfaction. The Rams still carry the loss in the standings and the Broncos keep their victory.
Kudos to the NFL for admitting its officials were wrong, especially since league officials had to know that telling McVay would be as if broadcasting it nationwide. He wasn’t going to treat that communication as a secret.
Referee Terry McAulay makes a call during the first quarter between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason game Aug. 20, 2016, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. Tampa Bay defeated Jacksonville 27-21. (Getty Images)
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And while we’re discussing Vinovich’s crew and the mistake, we all have to give NBC officiating guru Terry McAulay respect.
Immediately after the controversial call, McAulay was asked to chime in on the broadcast and told everyone what he saw. There was no interference.
He disagreed with the officials.
Big ups to McAulay for getting it right even if it meant disagreeing with his former officiating brethren.
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