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Controversial penalty call negates late interception in Rams-Broncos game

A pass interference call wiped out a late interception by Josh Wallace, setting up a Broncos game-winning touchdown as the Broncos beat the Rams 30-26, sparking outrage over the officiating.

By The Lumen desk · Sept 28, 2026 · 1 min read
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What we know
1 The Broncos defeated the Rams 30-26.
2 A pass interference penalty erased a late interception by Josh Wallace.
3 The penalty set up the Broncos' game-winning touchdown, according to CBS Sports.
4 Fans and media reacted with outrage over the officiating call, according to multiple outlets.

The Los Angeles Rams lost to the Denver Broncos 30-26 after a controversial pass interference penalty erased a late interception by Josh Wallace, according to multiple outlets.

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The penalty negated what could have been a game-sealing turnover for the Rams and instead set up the Broncos' game-winning touchdown, according to CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports.

The call sparked outrage among fans and observers, with reports describing reactions such as claims the Rams

Coverage across outlets was largely consistent, with center and right-leaning outlets using nearly identical language to describe the play and its impact on the game's outcome.

USA Today reported fans were livid over the penalty, reflecting broader frustration with the officiating decision in the game's final moments.

How each side covered it

Left

1 outlet
  • USA Today reported that NFL fans were livid over the penalty call.
  • Coverage centered on fan reaction rather than the play-by-play details.

“NFL fans livid over terrible penalty called on Rams late vs. Broncos” — USA Today

Center

2 outlets
  • Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports reported the penalty erased an interception by Josh Wallace.
  • Both outlets noted the call set up the Broncos' game-winning touchdown.
  • Coverage described the officiating decision as controversial and consequential to the game's outcome.

“Controversial pass interference penalty sets up Broncos' game-winning touchdown against Rams” — CBS Sports

Right

1 outlet
  • New York Post used language matching center coverage, calling the call controversial.
  • Reports cited claims that the Rams were unfairly affected by the officiating decision.

“'Rams got robbed': Controversial call that may have changed everything in brutal Broncos loss” — New York Post

Questions readers ask

What happened in the Rams-Broncos game?

The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Rams 30-26 after a pass interference penalty erased a late interception by Josh Wallace, setting up Denver's game-winning touchdown drive, according to multiple outlets.

Why was the penalty controversial?

The penalty negated an interception by Josh Wallace that could have sealed a Rams win, and instead led to the Broncos scoring the game-winning touchdown, according to CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports.

How did fans react to the call?

Fans were reported to be livid over the penalty, according to USA Today, with reactions across outlets describing the Rams as having been treated unfairly by the officiating.

What did left-, center-, and right-leaning outlets focus on?

Left-leaning USA Today emphasized fan outrage over the penalty; center outlets Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports focused on how the call changed the game's outcome; right-leaning New York Post used the same framing as Yahoo Sports, calling the call controversial.

Sources · 4 outlet reports

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