NFL Fans Were Confused By Referees' Ruling on Maxx Crosby's Forced Fumble vs. Lions

Fans weren’t convinced by the referees’ decision to uphold Craig Reynolds’ costly fumble.

Raiders star Maxx Crosby came up with a huge fumble to prevent a potential Lions touchdown on Monday night, though some fans weren’t convinced that running back Craig Reynolds actually coughed up the football. 

Officials ruled the play a fumble on the field, and when they reviewed it, they were unable to find “clear and obvious” evidence to overturn their decision. That’s largely due to the fact that it was difficult to determine on replay what actually happened during the play due to the amount of bodies piled up.

With a lack of sufficient evidence to overturn their call, the referees confirmed the fumble.

Fans weren’t so sure that officials made the right call, and questioned why the play wasn’t blown dead when Reynolds appeared to stop gaining momentum. The fumble, which came fairly late during the play, had NFL fans on social media scratching their heads. 

there is NO WAY POSSIBLE his legs aren’t down unless he is levitating on a 1” layer of air pic.twitter.com/iz835Cgxp2

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 31, 2023

NFL fumble rules are silly. I’d say this play is over, the officials say different pic.twitter.com/iqHJfDed80

— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) October 31, 2023

He is literally lying on the ground. https://t.co/ORky5IKrcd

— Raymond Summerlin (@RMSummerlin) October 31, 2023

I’m supposed to believe he’s got forward progress from that angle, too?

— Gregg Torlone (@GTorlone) October 31, 2023

You’re telling me Craig Reynolds forward progress wasn’t stopped, elbow wasn’t on the ground, and him laying on the ground underneath people wasn’t him down by contact? 😂😂😂

— J (@Lion4lifedet) October 31, 2023

Explain how this was ruled a fumble pic.twitter.com/bF1WuVIXmm

— Jim Costa (@JimCosta_) October 31, 2023

there’s just no way you call that fumble if you can’t see his legs maybe they are on the GROUND???

— 𝓪𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓷⭐️ (@aiden__23) October 31, 2023