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Controversial Grounding Penalty Dooms Washington in Overtime Loss

12/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In Washington's overtime loss to the Broncos, Marcus Mariota, the Washington quarterback, was penalized for intentional grounding.
NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay disputed the call, saying Mariota's throw went over the head of a receiver outside the numbers and did not meet grounding under the NFL's Approved Rulings.
The penalty put Washington in a difficult second-and-25, reducing their chances to win.

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Story summary

In Washington's overtime loss to the Broncos, Marcus Mariota, the Washington quarterback, was penalized for intentional grounding.
NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay disputed the call, saying Mariota's throw went over the head of a receiver outside the numbers and did not meet grounding under the NFL's Approved Rulings.
The penalty put Washington in a difficult second-and-25, reducing their chances to win.