With seconds left in the clock, often the most critical moments of any game, who can police the officials' actions if they make a mistake?
That will likely be one question for NFL owners to consider during their next Competition Committee meeting, the league's body which "reviews all competitive aspects of the game, including (but not limited to) playing rules, roster regulations, technology, game-day operations and player protection."
Reporter Luke Johnson spoke to referee Shawn Hochuli and had the following exchange regarding the clock stoppage in the final moments of the Washington Commanders' game against the New Orleans Saints.
"Question: At the end of the game, it was the third-to-last play, the Saints completed a pass short of the goal line and the clock kept running and it appeared that the clock stopped at nine seconds. I was wondering if you had an explanation for the stoppage?
"Hochuli: "The covering official mistakenly stopped the clock in that situation. The clock should not have stopped."
"Question: Was there any consideration of reviewing the stoppage? Was there anything that you could have done after the fact?
"Hochuli: "No, it is not a situation that is reviewable.
"Question: When were you all aware of the mistake?
"Hochuli: "That's all I have for you, Luke. The covering official mistakenly stopped the clock at nine seconds and it is not reviewable."
