Refs screwed Rams with brutal no-call on obvious 49ers cheap shot

The Los Angeles Rams are getting used to referees screwing them out of games. That’s why it wasn’t all that surprising the officials didn’t throw a flag when a 49ers defender punched running back Kyren Williams in the face — a shot that triggered a fumble at the goal line, and took six off the board... and ultimately costing them the game.

It's getting ridiculous.

Football is football, not a cage match or Summer Slam. But Rams fans have become accustomed to cheap shots that surface in video clips in post-game discussions. This one was clear as day. Just check out this unique camera angle that featured the play in the endzone. The refs failed once again, despite irrefutable evidence that there should have been a personal foul call.

In the footage, Niners defensive tackle Alfred Collins is captured throwing a haymaker to Williams' jaw, causing the fumble. Even as the booth called the play a "big hand comes in and knocks the ball out," the video clearly sees Collins' right hand ball up into a fist, punch No. 23 in the jaw, and then groping around for the football as Williams falls to the ground.

Refs miss blatant personal foul call, screwing Rams out of a win

The play highlights the baked-in controversy of NFL officials' ultimate impact on the game's outcome. While the net results of bad calls should eventually offset, it's tough to hold to that belief with evidence that continues to surface in one direction. And any punch thrown in a heated moment of a competitive football game puts a stain on the game and the league as a whole.

Yes, it's an NFC West rivalry game. But it's also a game that builds on itself. These two teams will meet again, and if players get wind of Collins' sucker punch, who's going to stop incensed players from bending the rules the other way for retribution?

That is above and beyond the fact that the play caused a pivotal turning point at a time when LA was heading into the end zone for a game-winning score.

This wasn’t just an overtime loss. It wasn’t just a loss to a rival. This was a game the Horns were supposed to win. San Francisco was fielding backups all over the field, yet it was clear which team came in more prepared — and more passionate.

No, the season isn’t lost. But after dropping a game they should’ve won, Los Angeles has taken a significant step back. The team sits at 3-2, but they’re now 0-2 in the conference and 0-1 in the division.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are 4-1 overall, 4-0 in the conference, and 3-0 in the division. The Horns let one slip they couldn’t afford to, and now they’ll have to live with it for the next 10 days. As always, thanks for reading.

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