NFL to review error that led to lost time in Steelers-Chargers

A timing error led to 18 seconds erroneously running off the clock late in the Pittsburgh Steelers' Monday night win over San Diego Chargers prior to the start of the Steelers' final possession.

The NFL released a statement Tuesday acknowledging the error. The league blamed the mistake on the clock operator and side judge, who share responsibility in overseeing timing.

The performance of both officials will be reviewed, the league promised.

The full text of the statement is below:

With 2:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, San Diego kicked off to Pittsburgh. The kick resulted in a touchback. By rule, the game clock does not start if the receiving team possesses the ball in the end zone and does not carry it into the field of play.

Because of an error by the clock operator, the game clock was incorrectly started before the Steelers' first play from scrimmage following the touchback. That first down snap came with 2:38 left to play instead of 2:56, a difference of 18 seconds.

The official game time is kept on the stadium scoreboard, but it is the responsibility of the side judge to supervise the timing of the game. Had the side judge or any of the other six on-field officials noticed the timing error, they could have corrected it.

The game clock is not subject to instant replay review unless there is a timing issue on the last play of the first half or the last play of the game.

The performance of the clock operator and game officials will be reviewed per the standard procedure for reviewing every play of every game.