Bobby Wagner, one of the league's best middle linebackers, just executed one of the best field goal blocks -- ever. Instead of rushing around the edge of the Cardinals line, Wagner chose to go directly over it.
After leaping over the Cardinals' long snapper, Wagner had a free path to the football. He blocked Chandler Catanzaro's kick with ease to keep the Seahawks-Cardinals game on "Sunday Night Football" scoreless.
Up.
— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2016
And over.
And BLOCKED by @BWagz54.
Wow. #SEAvsAZhttps://t.co/I5aRt3kVyG
Immediately after, the officials huddled to discuss a flag that was thrown during the play. The discussion was presumably about Wagner's leap and if he made contact with the Cardinals' long snapper, though they were also checking to see if the formation was legal.
A snapshot of the hurdle appears to show Wagner grazing the long snapper's back.
Wagner's foot appears to have touched here pic.twitter.com/gvxfG60KQz
— SB Nation NFL (@SBNationNFL) October 24, 2016
The officials, however, picked up the flag and gave Wagner credit for the block. And that made Cardinals coach Bruce Arians furious. He even tried to challenge the call, which isn't a reviewable play, and was docked a timeout for his illegal challenge.
According to the NFL's head of officiating. Dean Blandino, the correct call was made.
In #SEAvsAZ you have to land on the player for it to be a foul. The block was legal.
— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) October 24, 2016
Meanwhile, over on the Seahawks' sideline ...
O'Doyle Rules! #SNF#SEAvsAZpic.twitter.com/8XcvjWP0MC
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 24, 2016