ESPN's Joe Buck sounds off on NFL officiating over controversial no-call late in Rams' loss

ESPN broadcaster Joe Buck sounded disconnected connected the referees for missing a captious punishment precocious successful the Atlanta Falcons' 27-24 triumph implicit the Los Angeles Rams connected Monday astatine Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Falcons kicked the go-ahead tract extremity precocious successful the 4th quarter, giving the Rams the shot backmost with little than 30 seconds remaining and nary timeouts. On 2nd down, Matthew Stafford took a heavy changeable to Tutu Atwell. 

The walk fell incomplete astir the 10-yard line, arsenic the shot bounced disconnected Atwell’s close arm. The "Monday Night Football" broadcast past showed a replay of the incomplete walk which showed Falcons cornerback Dee Alford grabbing Atwell’s near arm, hindering him from making the catch.

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Joe Buck connected the tract earlier the crippled astatine MetLife Stadium successful East Rutherford, New Jersey, connected Nov. 6, 2023. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"They whitethorn person missed a walk interference," Buck said upon seeing the replay. 

"I hold with you. He goes up benignant of with 1 arm, he’s holding that limb down. I deliberation that’s walk interference," rules expert Russell Yurk responded.

"Watch the near limb of Atwell and the drawback here, not allowing his limb to spell up and marque the catch. That’s a missed call," Buck reiterated.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) cannot propulsion successful a walk arsenic helium is defended by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) successful the 2nd fractional of an NFL shot crippled successful Atlanta connected Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)

If antiaircraft walk interference had been called, the Rams would person moved heavy into Falcons territory with a accidental to spell for a touchdown to triumph the crippled oregon footwear a tract extremity to tie. 

Instead, determination was nary call, and play continued. On 3rd down, Stafford deed prima wide receiver Puka Nacua connected the sideline for what looked to beryllium a spectacular one-handed drawback close astatine the borderline of tract extremity range. 

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However, Nacua mislaid possession of the shot portion falling down, leaving the Rams astatine fourth-and-10 with 5 seconds left. On 4th down, Stafford tried connecting with Nacua again, but the walk fell incomplete, and the Falcons pulled disconnected the upset. 

The Rams dropped to 11-5 with the nonaccomplishment but already had clinched a playoff spot. They cannot triumph the NFC West and volition beryllium the No. 5 oregon No. 6 effect depending connected what happens successful Week 18. The Rams play the Arizona Cardinals astatine 4:25 p.m. ET connected Sunday. 

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