The refs missed a blatant false start on the Giants’ second TD and fans couldn’t believe it

If the earlier games of these NFL playoffs have been any indication, the Vikings and Giants were bound to find themselves in a wild matchup. And it didn’t take long to have our first controversial moment at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.

After the Vikings scored a touchdown on their opening drive, the Giants responded with two straight touchdowns to take the lead. But let’s be honest: Isaiah Hodgins’ first-quarter touchdown had assist from the officiating crew.

The play simply never should have been allowed to happen.

Just ahead of the snap, Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas jumped early, which should have been called for a false start penalty.

Though Mike Pereira would later claim on the Fox broadcast that it was a close call, it really didn’t seem all that close. Za’Darius Smith even stopped playing because he just assumed the officials would throw the flag for the false start.

But no flag was thrown, and the Giants cashed in with the touchdown on that same play.

Fans were justifiably perplexed by the no call.

There’s really no excuse to miss that call.