In a Week 14 contest, the Pittsburgh Steelers secured a victory over the Baltimore Ravens following a disputed replay ruling that nullified an Isaiah Likely touchdown. The controversy resurfaced Tuesday before the NFL Scouting Combine when Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations, suggested the reversal might have been mistaken, igniting debate around the call involving Kyle Van Noy and generating widespread reactions.
Players React Strongly on Social Media to Replay Admission
Lamar Jackson and Kyle Van Noy expressed their dissatisfaction through social media platforms. Jackson questioned whether the Ravens’ official record would be amended, pointing out that a win during that game would have awarded Baltimore the AFC North title, wondering if this marked a historic offseason victory for the franchise.
So technically we won? 10-7 1st offseason win ever🤣🤣 https://t.co/vGbkhWJ4Fo
?Lamar Jackson, Quarterback
Kyle Van Noy responded with greater intensity, criticizing both the timing of Vincent’s comments and the fact that the disputed calls took place during a high-stakes rivalry matchup. He highlighted multiple officiating mistakes in that single game and demanded accountability for the referees involved.
Have we ever seen the NFL come out months after a game has been played ( a couple weeks after the entire nfl season finished) and admitted they didn’t get 1 huge crucial call in the biggest NFL rivalry game. But they got 2 Crucial calls in same Game wrong!!! So the total was 3…
?Kyle Van Noy, Linebacker
Have we ever seen the NFL come out months after a game has been played (a couple weeks after the entire nfl season finished) and admitted they didn’t get 1 huge crucial call in the biggest NFL rivalry game, But they got 2 Crucial calls in same Game wrong!!! So the total was 3 horrible calls in 1 game…. Thats insane! 1. INT Rodgers, 2. Likely touchdown, and 3. Travis jones 15 yarder on field goal (they came out with this Tuesday after the game saying they got it wrong) Wow!!!!
?Kyle Van Noy, Linebacker
Accountability kinda sorta not really but something kinda… We need some sort of action now because this can not happen at the highest level. I understand 1 but 3????? Smh.
Details Behind the Contested Replay Decisions
Vincent elaborated on these issues in remarks to reporter Mark Maske, formerly of The Washington Post, emphasizing that the NFL identified five replay rulings under scrutiny, while drawing attention to the overturned Likely touchdown. The disputed play involved Isaiah Likely attempting to catch a pass from Lamar Jackson in the end zone. Though Likely appeared to complete the catch with two feet down and control while making a football move, defender Joey Porter Jr. disrupted the catch. The officials reviewed the play and ruled it incomplete, but Vincent noted the final step of the catch process—the extension of the ball—created debate.
There was two plays in particular, There was the Likely play … [during] Ravens-Steelers in the end zone. And then you had the one – there was a Jets play. But it was the Likely play that you go, that was interesting because of the third step and they were talking about the ball extended out. So it was: What constitutes that third act?
?Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations
Significance of the Controversy for the NFL and Teams Involved
The timing of the NFL’s post-season admission has fueled frustration among players and fans alike, particularly given the heated nature of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry and the impact of these calls on playoff standings. Lamar Jackson’s jest on social media underscores the confusion about how these errors might have reshaped outcomes, while Kyle Van Noy’s pointed critique demands that the league improve officiating standards. The situation highlights the broader challenges the NFL faces with replay technology and officiating accountability, raising questions about how future controversial plays will be addressed to maintain fairness and credibility across the sport.
With the NFL Scouting Combine underway, this replay controversy draws attention to the league’s operational decisions beyond the field, possibly shaping conversations on rule clarifications and replay protocols heading into the next season. Stakeholders including officials, teams, and fans will be watching closely to see what measures the league implements to prevent similar disputes in the future.
So technically we won? 10-7 1st offseason win ever🤣🤣 https://t.co/vGbkhWJ4Fo
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) February 24, 2026
Have we ever seen the NFL come out months after a game has been played ( a couple weeks after the entire nfl season finished) and admitted they didn’t get 1 huge crucial call in the biggest NFL rivalry game. But they got 2 Crucial calls in same Game wrong!!! So the total was 3…
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) February 24, 2026
The NFL would like a do-over on five instant replay rulings from the 2025 regular season but not on the interception ruling during overtime of the Bills-Broncos playoff game. pic.twitter.com/ZgevOyKQjG
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) February 24, 2026
