Another week, another touchdown controversy for Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely.
This week, it may have just cost the Ravens a spot in the playoffs.
Likely appeared to score the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of a Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers but referees ruled he never had possession of the ball.
On the play, Likely appeared to catch the ball with his hands and take several steps before it was poked away by Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. The touchdown would have given the Ravens the lead in what ended up being a 27-22 loss in a critical AFC North showdown.
It came one week after Likely fumbled as he was running into the end zone for a touchdown in a 32-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Isaiah Likely got ROBBED,” The Ravens Realm wrote on its official X account.
It was the second consecutive loss for the Ravens, who dropped to 6-7 overall.
“I just have to get that third foot down,” Likely joked after the game. “They made a call…gotta live with what the refs say at the end of the day.”
Likely Opened 2024 With Another Controversy
It’s the third time in the last 2 seasons Likely has been at the center of a controversial non-touchdown.
Likely appeared to catch the game-winning touchdown in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 regular season opener, only to see the call overturned after one toe of his black cleats could be seen touching the white-painted back line of the end zone at Arrowhead Stadium.
“Maybe next time wear white cleats, is what I would tell him,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes joked after the game.
“Isaiah Likely is the king of *almost* scoring touchdowns,” PolyMarket’s Dylan Orrell wrote on his official X account.
This might also be one of the final games Likely plays for the Ravens.
Long thought to be the heir apparent to veteran tight end Mark Andrews, Likely missed 3 games with a broken foot to start the season and has struggled in his return.
Last week, the Ravens signed the 30-year-old Andrews to a 3-year, $39.3 million contract extension, all but ensuring Likely will become a free agent after this season.
Social Media Spits Digital Venom After TD Call
If this isn’t the angriest Ravens fans have ever been online, it would be interesting to see what people think has topped it. Because it got ugly quickly.
“ISAIAH LIKELY CATCHES THE BALL IN THE ENDZONE AND TAKES TWO STEPS,” Baltimore Memes wrote on its official X account. “NFL OFFICIATING NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ROBBING THE RAVENS OF A GAME-WINNING TOUCHDOWN! THE RAVENS SHOULD BE IN FIRST PLACE!! HORRIFIC OFFICIATING!!”
“I clearly don’t know what a catch is in the NFL,” Ravens Vault’s Sarah Ellison wrote on her official X account. “Isaiah Likely had possession and took two steps. So dumb.”
It’s worth pointing out Likely could have easily tucked the ball in like you’re supposed to when you catch a pass — the way football players are taught to catch the ball as small children.
“Isaiah Likely has to pull the ball close to his body man,” Yves Saint Lourent wrote on X. “Say what you want about the touchdown being overturned but he has got to tuck the ball in.”
Ravens TE Isaiah Likely ‘Robbed’ of TD in Loss to Steelers