Officials miss blatant false start by Rams on critical down vs. Bills

Bills fought back against the Rams but costly no-call on false start might have cost them the win.

Ronnie Eastham | Dec 9, 2024

Dec 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the ball against Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) during the first half at SoFi Stadium / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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The Buffalo Bills dug themselves a massive hole to start their Week 14 game vs. the Los Angeles Rams Sunday. They trailed by 17 at one point, including a touchdown scored off a Rams' blocked punt. Buffalo would battle back, and had the Rams facing fourth down, up 3, with two minutes remaining in the game. A stop meant the Bills would get the ball back with the chance to tie or take the lead late, marking what would have been an incredible comeback.

But that play will likely be talked about angrily across all Bills fans.

Based on the replay, it appeared Rams right tackle Rob Haverstein rocked backward, and moved forward, obviously enough to assume a flag would follow. It did not, and the Rams would go on to convert on 4th and 5. This isn't to say they wouldn't have converted 4th and 10, but certainly, their odds of doing so would have been far less at twice the distance.

Rams get away with a false start on 4th and 5. #Bills pic.twitter.com/Bub5el5e2U
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 9, 2024

The Rams held on to take the win, followed by a controversial play call on Buffalo's part late down nine points. The call might not have cost Buffalo the game, exactly, but it seems like a call that should have been made, that would have backed the Rams up even longer.

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