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‘Never decide a game’ – Internet explodes over face mask fury that denies Minnesota Vikings comeback hopes

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The Los Angeles Rams upset the Minnesota Vikings in prime time on Thursday night.

An impressive win from Sean McVay’s crew was notable given they improved to 3-4 for the season, but it was the controversial missed call to decide the game that caused a social media meltdown.

Darnold was pulled down by his face mask but no foul was givenGetty

With two star receivers back in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Rams won 30-20, but with the difference just eight points, officials missed a face mask penalty by linebacker Byron Young.

With 1:46 remaining in the game, Young floored Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold in the endzone resulting in a sack and safety.

The call awarded the Rams two points, and ended any chance of Minnesota mounting a late comeback – only for replace to show it was clear that Darnold was pulled down by his face mask.

No foul was called on the field, and because the foul is not reviewable, the Rams were able to fair catch an attempt at an onside post-safety punt to effectively finish the game.

The reality is that a 15-yard penalty should have been enforced, advancing the Vikings from their own 5-yard line to their 20-yard line and enough time on the clock to drive down the field to try and level the game.

During the post-game pool report, referee Tra Blake said officials did not see the penalty, and therefore couldn’t call it.

“On that play, the quarterback was facing the opposite direction from me, so I did not have a good look at it,” he said.

“I did not have a look, and I did not see the face mask being pulled, obviously. The umpire had players between him and the quarterback, so he did not get a look at it. He was blocked out as well.

“So, that was the thing, we did not see it, so we couldn’t call it. We couldn’t see it.”

The missed call condemned the Vikings to a second straight defeat and social media erupted, suggesting such mistakes are unacceptable.

“This type of missed call should never decide a game,” former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III wrote on X.

Other fans suggested the refs had “screwed the Vikings” and questioned what the point of a replay assist is if they don’t correct missed calls.

“I thought the whole point of replay assist is to assist the refs who clearly and unbelievably missed this,” another person added.

JJ Watt also responded to the missed callX

Fans and journalists were left stunned by the missed callX

The missed call came in the dying moments of the game

One fan concluded: “You ABSOLUTELY can’t miss this to end the game.”

The controversial Thursday Night Football result means Minnesota fall to 5-2 while Los Angeles improve to 3-4.

Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns in the critical win, the second in five days that could prove a season-changing catalyst.

Nacua provided a spark as he returned from injured reserve, leading the team with seven catches for 106 yards on nine targets.

Kupp, playing for the first time since week 2, had five catches for 51 yards and a welcome back touchdown.

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