The New York Giants, their fans and most people watching via television believed Big Blue had earned a hard-fought victory at the Washington Football Team Thursday night after Washington's Dustin Hopkins pushed his game-winning field-goal attempt wide. However, New York's Dexter Lawrence was flagged for being offside, Washington was given an untimed down, and Hopkins converted his second try to give the hosts a 30-29 win.
There's just one issue: Lawrence may not have jumped early.
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio pointed out earlier on Friday that at least one camera angle seems to show that Lawrence timed his start perfectly and at the very beginning of the snap of the football. Internet sleuths have since investigated.
Yeah…. Dexter Lawrence wasn’t offside he just got a perfect jump on the snap
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) September 17, 2021
pic.twitter.com/8HdomALNs1
Needless to say, even slow-motion replays aren't 100% conclusive.
Was Dexter Lawrence offsides last night?
— PFF (@PFF) September 17, 2021
( @ghayner7)
pic.twitter.com/UwS9rTaleb
Dexter Lawrence jumps offside as Hopkins misses the game-winning field goal.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) September 17, 2021
On the next chance, Hopkins send Washington home with the win pic.twitter.com/fa9X9nUXgx
I am mentally torturing myself re-watching the Dexter Lawrence "offsides".
— Ethan vs. NHL Insiders (@EthanGSN) September 17, 2021
Every single time I re-watch I change my mind.
To his credit, Lawrence made no excuses when speaking with reporters.
Dexter Lawrence on jumping offsides: “That’s on me. I have to be more disciplined in … a critical situation.”
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 17, 2021
Lawrence it seems didn’t think he was offsides a day later. “My opinion really don’t matter,” he said. “We lost the game. The refs called what they called.”
The Giants will now prepare to host the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 26.
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