The Minnesota Vikings were feeling confident heading into last Thursday’s Los Angeles Rams matchup before Puka Nacua and Matthew Stafford carved up Brian Flores’ defense. Yet, the loss didn’t come without controversy, as refs missed a blatant Sam Darnold facemask call on the Vikings’ final drive of the game.
Rams pass-rusher Byron Young sacked Darnold, which resulted in a safety, effective ending the game. Yet, upon closer review, the Rams defender actually grabbed Darnold’s facemask, which should have wiped out the sack/safety, and resulted in a Vikings first down after advancing the ball 15 yards.
Of course, we all know what happened. The NFL botched the call, and since it was technically a non-scoring play (even though the Rams got two points via a safety), the league wasn’t allowed or forced to review the outcome. Ultimately, the Vikings got screwed, and there was nothing anyone could do about it.
However, as the Vikings prepare for their Sunday night primetime matchup against the Colts, the NFL has sneakily released some information that could make fans irate.
NFL fines Byron Young for Sam Darnold facemask that never got called
On Saturday, just a day before a full slate of NFL games kick off, the league dropped their stack of fines assessed to players who committed violations during the previous week of play. To no surprise, the NFL decided to fine Rams defender Byron Young for the Sam Darnold facemask that the zebras refused to acknowledge.
In the end, Young’s bank account is just over $7K lighter, but considering the Rams got the win, and he gets to keep the sack and safety on his stat sheet, it’s a price worth paying. But it doesn’t feel any better, knowing that one player on the Rams was mildly punished for a game-changing play that never should have counted.
