Refs pick up flag on Vikes’ apparent illegal block

7:02 pm | December 10, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:

11:48 PM ET

Kevin SeifertNFL Nation
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- ESPN.com national NFL writer
- ESPN.com NFC North reporter, 2008-2013
- Covered Vikings for Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1999-2008

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner appeared to violate NFL rules Monday night before blocking a key field goal in the fourth quarter of a 21-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

Referee Brad Allen initially threw a flag for leverage — pushing off another player to gain height on a jump — but then announced there was no foul. Allen did not immediately explain the reversal.

According to NFL rule 12, section 3, article 1(p), it is illegal for a player to place “a hand or hands on a teammate or opponent to gain additional height to block or attempt to block an opponent’s apparent kick, or in an attempt to jump through a gap to block an opponent’s kick or apparent kick.”

The penalty is considered unsportsmanlike conduct and carries a 15-yard walkoff.

With the Seahawks leading 6-0, replays clearly showed Wagner putting his hands on the shoulders of teammates on both sides of him as he jumped into the backfield.

He then blocked Vikings place-kicker Dan Bailey‘s 47-yard attempt.

Had Allen enforced the rule, the Vikings would have received a first down at the Seahawks’ 14-yard line with five minutes, 38 seconds remaining. Instead, the Seahawks gained possession at their 37-yard line and drove for a game-clinching touchdown.