NFL fans didn’t hold back in their criticism of NBC announcer Cris Collinsworth after a notable blunder during Sunday Night Football in Week 1. The game saw the Detroit Lions edge out the Los Angeles Rams, 26-20, in a dramatic overtime finish, with David Montgomery scoring the game-winning touchdown. However, the post-game chatter wasn’t just about the thrilling victory—it was also about Collinsworth’s apparent confusion over the NFL’s overtime rules.
As the Lions marched down the field in overtime, Collinsworth, a veteran broadcaster with decades of NFL experience, began discussing the Lions’ strategy as if they were playing for a field goal to win. “You start thinking about it, right? You start thinking about how much do you need before you’re gonna go line up and kick it? You start thinking about which side do you want your kicker to be able to kick it from?” Collinsworth said during the broadcast.
That’s when his co-host, Mike Tirico, had to jump in and remind him of the actual overtime rule: Detroit needed a touchdown to end the game. Tirico interjected with, “Try to score, don’t let the Rams have a chance to even touch the ball.”
Collinsworth’s lapse didn’t go unnoticed by fans, who quickly took to social media to express their disbelief over the seasoned announcer’s mix-up. Many were surprised that someone with Collinsworth’s extensive experience covering the NFL would forget the fundamental rule that requires a touchdown on the opening drive of overtime to end the game.
RELATED: Cris Collinsworth Faces Backlash for Comments on Patrick Mahomes During NFL Opening Game
“Cris Collinsworth has zero idea how the overtime rules work, just goes to show everyone is truly faking their job,” one fan commented.
“A producer had to tell Collinsworth the OT rules in his ear. He had the Lions playing for a walk-off FG,” another added, referring to the behind-the-scenes assistance broadcasters often receive during live games.
“Absolutely abysmal that Collinsworth doesn’t know the OT rules by now,” yet another fan tweeted, sharing their disappointment in the announcer’s oversight.
While Collinsworth has been a staple of NFL broadcasts for years, calling games with his trademark analysis and color commentary, this blunder raised eyebrows, particularly given that the current overtime rules were implemented in 2012 for playoff games and in 2017 for the regular season. The change, designed to give both teams a fairer shot, stipulates that a touchdown on the first possession of overtime ends the game, while a field goal allows the opposing team a chance to respond.
Fans weren’t quick to forgive Collinsworth’s mistake. “Did Cris Collinsworth just forget the overtime rules?” one viewer asked, reflecting the general sentiment of confusion and frustration.
For many NFL fans, the moment stood out as an uncharacteristic gaffe from someone so experienced in the game. While Collinsworth is widely respected for his knowledge of football and his insightful commentary, this moment of forgetfulness served as a reminder that even the most seasoned professionals can slip up in the heat of live broadcasting.
As the NFL season moves forward, fans are hopeful that Collinsworth will keep the overtime rules in mind for future broadcasts. In a sport where every detail counts, fans expect the experts calling the game to be just as sharp as the players on the field.
