Former NFL referee Walt Anderson has taken on the pivotal role of the league’s primary spokesperson for rule applications, dedicating his Sunday mornings to addressing the previous week’s controversial calls on the NFL Network pregame show. Despite the tight four-hour window, Anderson continually manages to spotlight key incidents from the ongoing games.
This week, Anderson faced a range of contentious calls, notably addressing the NFL’s admission to the Carolina Panthers regarding an incorrectly overturned catch in the fourth quarter. Additionally, there was confusion surrounding the ejection of Chargers safety Tony Jefferson for a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Chiefs, contrasted with Bears defensive end Austin Booker’s non-ejection for a similar infraction that sidelined Packers quarterback Jordan Love. This discrepancy raises critical questions about the consistency of officiating in such instances.
Anderson’s segment primarily focused on a peculiar play that occurred during Thursday night’s game between the Seahawks and Rams—a two-point conversion that ultimately tied the game at 30. While he laid out the evident details for viewers, one significant aspect remained unaddressed: the perplexing delay of over 100 seconds to initiate a review of the play. Given the clarity with which Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold’s backward pass should have been recognized, the lengthy interval raises questions about the decision-making process behind the review. Who ultimately recognized that the play warranted review? Was it the replay official, someone from the league office, or an external individual who brought the situation to light?
As the teams prepared for kickoff, the potential two-point conversion remained unacknowledged before the review was formally triggered, highlighting procedural inefficiencies during critical moments of the game.
Moreover, Anderson refrained from mentioning any prospective changes to the backward pass rule during his segment. This omission comes on the heels of his earlier comments regarding the possibility of revising the intentional grounding review process—an initiative that is reportedly under consideration for 2026. While Rams coach Sean McVay has expressed a desire for an alteration in the backward pass rules, Anderson’s silence on the matter hints at a likely lack of forthcoming changes.
As the NFL navigates these complex scenarios, it highlights the ongoing challenges faced in officiating, coupled with the pressing need for clarity and consistency within the rules. The league remains focused on refining its processes to enhance the overall integrity of the game, providing fans and teams alike with a fairer competitive environment.