Mike Vrabel’s Clock Suggestion Resurfaces After Odd Jaguars/Bills Sequence

Mike Vrabel’s recent comments about the NFL game clock became eerily prescient during Sunday’s playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.

As the final seconds ticked away in the first half, Jacksonville rushed to spike the ball in time after Trevor Lawrence completed a 34-yard pass to Parker Washington. A replay appeared to show the Jaguars snapped the ball after time expired, but the referees called the Bills for offsides.

Perhaps viewers would have perceived that chain of events differently if the NFL deployed a more precise game clock. Vrabel told reporters last month that the league has given thought to showing decimals like the NBA.

Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald re-shared the quote on social media.

“For any of you that are interested in the technology of football, they have considered that,” Vrabel said on Dec. 15. “It came up a few years ago that I heard about having the NBA clock. This is where I think our fans would like it. I think the coaches would like it. Is there 11.9 and you don’t have any timeouts, or is it 11.1? Can you get it clocked?”

The play sparked controversy in Sunday’s playoff game, but it ultimately won’t impact the outcome. Jacksonville failed to turn the break into points when Cam Little missed a 54-yard field goal to end the opening half.

The Jaguars jumped to a 17-13 lead when Lawrence found Washington for a six-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The Patriots would host the Jaguars in the second round if Jacksonville defeats Buffalo and New England beats the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.