Many noticed 18 seconds vanish from the game clock at the start of the Steelers' eventual game-winning drive during Monday night's game against the Chargers. Initially the league declined comment on the situation, but on Tuesday morning they sent a statement, via Bleacher Report's Jason Cole.
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With 2:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, San Diego kicked off to Pittsburgh. The kick resulted in a touchback. By rule, the game clock does not start if the receiving team possesses the ball in the end zone and does not carry it into the field of play.
Because of an error by the clock operator, the game clock was incorrectly started before the Steelers' first play from scrimmage following the touchback. That first down snap came with 2:38 left to play instead of 2:56, a difference of 18 seconds.
The official game time is kept on the stadium scoreboard, but it is the responsibility of the side judge to supervise the timing of the game. Had the side judge or any of the other six on-field officials noticed the timing error, they could have corrected it.
The game clock is not subject to instant replay review unless there is a timing issue on the last play of the first half or the last play of the game. The performance of the clock operator and game officials will be reviewed per the standard procedure for reviewing every play of every game.
For background, NFL clock operators are hired by the league, not individual teams, and typically have college football officiating experience. They live in the same geographic area as the home team stadium. For the playoffs, clock operators from geographic ares outside of the home team's stadium are used.
Had Le'Veon Bell not scored a touchdown as the final seconds ticked off, the league would have had another huge officiating debacle on Monday Night Football.
Last week the Seahawks batted a fumbled football out of the end zone, which is an illegal move. The Lions should have retained possession with a chance to win the game at the goal-line. Instead, Seattle lined up in victory formation and won the game.
Luckily for Pittsburgh, it didn't need the extra 18 seconds to win. Although the Chargers might have liked some extra time on the clock for a desperation play.
