Texans-Colts ends in controversy as officials don't review late fumble
The Houston Texans moved into first place in the AFC South with a Thursday Night Football win over the Indianapolis Colts, but the victory didn't come without controversy.
Late in the fourth quarter, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson attempted a run on second down to move the chains and seal the game. Watson fumbled on the play, though it was initially unclear on which team recovered the ball.
THIS IS A FUMBLE#Colts#INDvsHOU pic.twitter.com/vlqivbavz8
— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) November 22, 2019
Referee Ron Torbert ruled the play a fumble that was recovered by the Texans, but a review wasn't conducted.
NFL Officiating attempted to explain their reasoning shortly after the matchup concluded, though many believed the fumble still should have been reviewed to confirm the call.
In #INDvsHOU, officials on the field ruled a fumble recovered by the offense. There was no clear visual evidence of a recovery by the defense.
— NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) November 22, 2019
"That was a fumble. I had it," Colts linebacker Darius Leonard, who knocked the ball loose, told reporters, according to Zak Keefer of The Athletic.
Two plays later, Houston ran out the clock up by three points to end the game.