Missed call by refs on Rams' final play ends season in controversial fashion

Three quarters into the NFC's Divisional Round matchup between the L.A. Rams and Philadelphia Eagles, we had ourselves a close one. Despite some early scores from Philly, the Rams kept it close.

After the Rams sacked Jalen Hurts for a safety to end the third quarter, pulling within one, the Eagles began the fourth quarter with three-straight scoring drives.

With 4:36 left in the fourth quarter, things looked bleak for the Rams as Saquon Barkley ripped off another long touchdown run; this time from 78 yards out. That score put the Eagles up 28-15.

Still, quarterback Matthew Stafford wasn't about to lay down and die. He had been in this type of situation before.

The Rams immediately answered back with a touchdown drive of their own. L.A. drove down and scored in under two minutes to bring it within six. Then, as the Eagles took over possession, the Rams knew they had to get a stop -- and they did.

Following a Philly punt, the Rams had the ball once again, still with over two minutes to go in the game. Stafford and company got it going, again, and took the ball all the way down into the red zone. On a 3rd-and-2 play, though, Stafford was sacked by Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter.

While that was a fair-and-square type of play by Carter, what happened on fourth down wasn't exactly along the same lines.

Refs missed an obvious roughing the passer call on Matthew Stafford to end the Rams' season

In the above video, fans might focus on the incompletion to Puka Nacua which effectively ended the game. However, upon replay and alternate angles, fans will notice Carter coming through and driving Stafford to the ground once he lets go of the ball.

By rule, this clearly should have been roughing the passer. Head coach Sean McVay was seen very upset with the officials after the play, pleading for a flag from the sideline. Many Rams players were pleading the same, but to no avail.

The refs stood firm and did not throw a flag. The Rams turned the ball over on downs, allowing the Eagles to kneel-down the remainder of the clock and advance to the NFC Championship Game.

Sadly, this wasn't even the first time the refs screwed over the Rams in this very same fourth quarter.

Had roughing the passer been called, the Rams would have been given a first down and half the distance to the goal. This would've put the ball at the 11-yard line and well-within realistic striking distance for the game-winning touchdown.

Instead, the officials allowed the home crowd to celebrate as their young defensive star seemingly won the game for his Eagles, albeit in controversial fashion.

No flag. Season over. Just like that.