Admission of Error Is Only a Matter of Time

An officiating blunder Sunday gave Baltimore critical extra time in its fourth-quarter comeback victory over Seattle, the NFL said Monday.

NFL supervisor of officials Mike Pereira said both the 40-second clock and the game clock should have been restarted after an officials’ conference over a penalty call with 58 seconds left in regulation. The Seahawks had the ball and led, 41-38.

Because the clock wasn’t started, the Ravens had 39 seconds left instead of four or five when they got the ball back on downs at the Baltimore 33.

They ended up tying the game on Matt Stover’s field goal after a 44-yard pass interference penalty. Baltimore won, 44-41, in overtime.

“The clock was not started at the proper time, which was an administrative error by the officiating crew,” Pereira said in a statement.

Raven Coach Brian Billick conceded that his team benefited from the mistake by referee Tom White and his crew.

“There was, I believe, an administrative error in there, in that the clock should have been wound more quickly,” Billick said.

Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren, a former chairman of the league’s competition committee, refused to criticize White and his crew.

“I appreciate the league being very candid about it,” he said. “Nothing changes, but we had chances as a team. It had nothing to do with the officials. We had chances and we just didn’t do it when we needed to do it, and it ended up biting us.”

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In no mood to celebrate tying the all-time sacks record, Bruce Smith took his case for more playing time to Washington Redskin owner Dan Snyder.

Smith got a half-sack in Washington’s 24-23 loss at Miami on Sunday night. But the constant losing and his demotion to backup status has the 40-year-old defensive end too upset to enjoy the fact he has equaled Reggie White’s mark of 198.

Smith said he discussed his limited role with Snyder after the game.

“I can’t help this team win if I’m not on the field,” Smith said. “This is not a selfish statement -- I want to help this team win. And being on the sideline, my hands are tied. I think Mr. Snyder was a little disappointed of the fact of that when I talked to him. I’m at a loss for words.”

Smith was taken out of the starting lineup four games ago, the first time he has played without starting since 1986. At the time, he said he felt he was being singled out by Coach Steve Spurrier and that it was perhaps time to “take a stand and be a little selfish.”

Spurrier declined to comment on Smith’s speaking to the owner about playing time.

“You’ll have to talk to those parties about all that,” Spurrier said.

Snyder was not at Redskins Park on Monday and was not available for comment.

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Tennessee Coach Jeff Fisher isn’t ruling quarterback Steve McNair out for Monday’s game against the New York Jets because of a strained right calf.... After producing one touchdown in the last two games, Jaguar rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich could be heading to the bench. Jacksonville Coach Jack Del Rio said he is considering starting David Garrard when the Jaguars play Tampa Bay on Sunday. Del Rio will make the decision later this week.... The Houston Texans won’t know whether David Carr can play next weekend against Atlanta until his workout Wednesday. Carr, who missed Sunday’s 23-20 overtime loss to New England with a sprained right shoulder, was listed as the No. 3 emergency quarterback against the Patriots.... Rallying the Chicago Bears to a surprising victory, and ending a 12-game road losing streak, doesn’t guarantee quarterback Kordell Stewart another start. Bear Coach Dick Jauron said Chris Chandler will remain the team’s starter if he’s healthy. Chandler sat out the second half of Sunday’s 19-10 victory in Denver after spraining his right shoulder, and the Bears won’t know his status until Wednesday.