After his team suffered a stunning loss on a Hail Mary on the last play of the game -- a Hail Mary that it appeared his team intercepted -- Packers coach Mike McCarthy tried to walk the fine line between ripping the replacement officials and avoiding making excuses for a hard-fought loss.
But McCarthy said that his players told him that Packers defensive back M.D. Jennings had intercepted the pass in the end zone, and that the officials were wrong to rule it a game-winning touchdown catch for Seahawks receiver Golden Tate. McCarthy seemed stunned by the officiating, which was questionable from the start of the game to the very end, when the officials first left the field, then ordered the teams back for the meaningless extra point in the Seahawks’ 14-12 victory.
“I was told M.D. Jennings had the ball,” McCarthy said. “I’ve never seen anything like that in all my years in football.”
McCarthy said the game -- in which a total of 24 penalties were marched off -- was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
“Very unusual,” McCarhty said. “Most unusual football game that I think I’ve been a part of. I know it’s been a wild weekend in the NFL and I guess we’re part of it now.”
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was, of course, in a much better mood after the game. Carroll praised Tate for reaching in and grabbing the ball in the end zone, even though it appeared that Jennings had a firmer grasp on the ball.
“It was a simultaneous catch, that’s how they called it,” Carroll said. “Good call.”
Carroll smiled as he described his emotions.
“What a Monday Night Football game,” Carroll said. “Tremendous night.”
A tremendous night for the Seahawks. But not for the Packers. And not for the officials.
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