Carey announces game over to nobody

It really was a non-issue, but the Bills interception (video) of the final Hail Mary pass from Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell was decisive. Game over.

However, referee Mike Carey received a buzz on his pager indicating that there would be a replay review of the final play. Carey was already off the field when he was summoned back to the replay equipment.

Carey announced to whomever was left that the interception would stand. In a pool report, he explained that there was no review to begin with:

Q: Describe what happened after the call on the field of an interception?

Carey: It was ruled an interception. We came into the locker room after delaying to see if it was going to be reviewed. I got a beep in the locker room, a buzz in the locker room, that said review. Went back out, put the headset on. They weren’t set up. But it was an erroneous transmission, and they had already confirmed the ruling on the field.

Q: What was an erroneous transmission?

Carey: The [pager] beep that I got.

Q: Could you go over the process at the end if the booth thinks a review is necessary?

Carey: On all instant replay reviews, the referee goes in and reviews the play — if there’s a review. I got a buzz that said review it. When I got out there they said it had already been confirmed. There was no need for a review. It was an erroneous transmission to my buzzer for review.

Q: Lastly, describe what is required to determine that there is simultaneous possession on a pass like that, a receiver needs to … ?

Carey: He needs to maintain possession when he goes to the ground. If he doesn’t maintain possession then it’s either incomplete or an interception.