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NFL referee defends 'leverage' penalty in Broncos-Colts game
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- NFL referee defends 'leverage' penalty in Broncos-Colts game
A crucial 15-yard " leverage " penalty cost the Denver Broncos a win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season on Sunday afternoon.
After the Colts initially missed a 60-yard field goal attempt, Broncos outside linebacker Dondre Tillman was penalized for " leverage ," and Indy kicker Spencer Shrader went on to convert a 45-yard field goal to seal a 29-28 win . (The penalty was mistakenly called on Eyioma Uwazurike , but the NFL's box score has since corrected it to Tillman, No. 92.)
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After Denver's heartbreaking loss, NFL referee Craig Wrolstad explained the penalty for the game's pool report. Mike Klis of 9News tweeted Wrolstad's full explanation. Here it is:
"For leverage, as a defender, you're not allowed to place your hand on an opponent or a teammate and push off to propel yourself into the air to block a kick. In this case, number 92 came across the line to the right guard and he put his hands on the right guard and pushed off him to elevate himself in the air in order to try to block the kick. You're not allowed to do that. It is a personal foul and a 15-yard penalty. In this case, since it was the last play of the game and it was a foul on the defense, we extended the game for one untimed down. We assessed the 15-yard penalty, and they were able to run another play."
The loss dropped the Broncos to 1-1 while the Colts improved to 2-0. Up next on Denver's schedule is a road game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL news: Ref defends 'leverage' penalty in Broncos-Colts game
