Ravens left scratching heads at calls after loss to Steelers - ESPN

BALTIMORE — After a critical 27-22 loss to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, many of the Baltimore Ravens questioned calls made by the referees — notably an overturned touchdown reception by Isaiah Likely in the fourth quarter — that could cost them a chance at the postseason.

The referees initially ruled Likely scored on a 13-yard pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson — which would have given the Ravens a one-point lead with 2:43 remaining — despite the tight end losing the ball in the end zone. Ravens coach John Harbaugh enthusiastically lifted his hands, and Jackson celebrated by clapping his teammates' hands.

But less than a minute later, referee Alex Moore announced that it was an incompletion. Likely had the ball punched out by Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. before he made the necessary third step in the end zone.

«I thought it was a touchdown, but the refs made the call they wanted,» Jackson said. «They believed that was right. So, you got to go with it. I can't do the ref's job. It is what it is.»

On the play, Likely leapt to make the catch. He got his right foot down and then his left. Just before his right foot touched the ground again — which would constitute a third step — Likely had the ball dislodged.

In a pool report, NFL vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth explained why overturning the touchdown was correct.

«The control is the first aspect of the catch,» he said. «The second aspect is two feet or a body part in bounds, which he did have. Then, the third step is an act common to the game and before he could get the third foot down, the ball was ripped out. Therefore, it was an incomplete pass.»

In the locker room, several Ravens — including running back Derrick Henry, left tackle Ronnie