The first regular season NFL game in Berlin was mostly a tremendous showing for the international crowd. The Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons went back-and-forth for most of the contest, which ended on a walk-off overtime touchdown.
NFL officials, on the other hand, didn’t cover themselves in glory, especially at the end of the contest. Official Clete Blakeman made two unfortunate errors as the game came to a close. While neither wound up affecting the outcome of the game, both led to confusing moments for viewers.
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After an incorrect call on an intentional grounding at the end of the fourth quarter, Blakeman screwed up the overtime coin toss.
How exactly do you screw up a coin toss? Thankfully, Adam Amin explained on the broadcast.
Just before overtime started, the coin toss was shown on the broadcast. The Colts called the flip and were correct. The team opted to start with the ball in overtime. The game then went to a commercial.
When the broadcast returned, the Falcons were getting ready to receive the ball, leading fans to wonder what the heck happened. As Amin explained, the Colts were considered the home team during the contest, which was held in Berlin. Because of that, the Falcons should have had the opportunity to make the call on the overtime coin flip.
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That mistake meant Blakeman and both teams had to do a second coin toss to determine which team would get the ball to start overtime. That coin toss — which the Falcons won — was not televised. The Falcons opted to take the ball first, which led to the confusing scene once the broadcast came back from break.
In the end, the mistake didn’t sink either team. The Falcons couldn’t muster much on their first offensive drive, eventually punting the ball back to the Colts.
Indianapolis responded with a seven-play touchdown drive. After a huge throw by Daniel Jones to rookie Tyler Warren, Jonathan Taylor bulled his way through the Falcons’ defense for the walk-off score. The Colts won the contest 31-25. Taylor finished the contest with an incredible 244 rushing yards and three touchdowns. It was the best game by a running back this season.
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Taylor’s performance — and the Colts’ comeback win — remain the biggest story to come out of the Berlin game. That’s good news for Blakeman, who nearly found himself in a place no official wants to be following a game: the spotlight.
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