Brandon Marshall of the Chicago Bears makes a reception for a first down against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, October 1, in Arlington, Texas. The Bears beat the Cowboys 34-18. Look back at the best of NFL Week Three.
(CNN) -- The real referees were greeted with a standing ovation Thursday night as they returned to the field after a new contract was announced less than a day earlier.
It may be the last time fans will voice their opinion on the recent NFL lockout that brought replacement referees to the football field.
Thursday's 23 to 16 win by the Baltimore Ravens over the Cleveland Browns went on without much controversy, a far cry from the gaffe-filled display that punctuated the first three weeks of the professional football season.
For NFL officials, it's a side job that requires a lot of work
'Real' refs to return to NFL after deal
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Green Bay Packers 14-12 on Monday, September 24, after replacement officials, standing in for locked-out NFL regulars, gave possession of a disputed ball to Seattle receiver Golden Tate. Officials in the end zone gave competing signals: one indicating a touchdown, the other an interception.
Photos: Blown calls in sports
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws the winning touchdown pass against the Green Bay Packers in Seattle on Monday night. The Seahawks defeated the Packers 14-12 after a much-questioned call by the referees.
Photos: The Seahawks-Packers final play
Conan: NFL replacement ref highlights
Before Thursday's game NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he was sorry the league felt it had to resort to the replacements, few of whom had any previous NFL officiating experience. Many were high school or low-level college officials who hold down myriad other jobs, from schoolteachers to attorneys.
That ended Wednesday night when the NFL stuck a deal with officials.
The eight-year deal, which must be ratified by union members, includes details about officials' pensions and retirement benefits, and adds a pay bump from $149,000 a year in 2011 to $173,000 in 2013. The pay will rise to $205,000 by 2019.
It suspended the lockout that began before the league's preseason, leading to a series of gaffes that climaxed in a furor over a botched call that allowed the Seattle Seahawks to walk away with a victory in Monday night's nationally televised game against Green Bay. The league acknowledged Tuesday that the Packers should have won, but allowed the result of the game to stand.
NFL chief apologizes about replacement refs
Goodell declined to criticize the replacements despite weeks of botched calls that raised the ire of fans nationwide.
"Everything they did, every call, was magnified," Goodell said. "They kept the game going. They worked hard. They trained hard. They were incredibly focused and dedicated."
Henry Zaborniak, a fill-in line judge who lives in Ohio, said it was a hard job.
"We worked as hard as we could and we did the best we could," said Zaborniak, who spent 15 years as a Big Ten official,. "None of us felt like we could replace the regular guys. You can't replace that sort of ability en masse."
What the refs were negotiating
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The Cowboys line up against the Bears on Monday night.
Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears catches a 34-yard touchdown pass on Monday.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo reacts after throwing an interception on Monday.
The Bears' Matt Forte runs the ball in the second quarter of Monday's game against the Cowboys' No. 40, Danny McCray.
The Cowboys' Miles Austin catches a pass in the first half Monday against Chris Conte.
The Cowboys' DeMarco Murray reaches for extra yardage against the Bears on Monday.
The Bears' Major Wright, No. 21, reacts after he intercepted a pass in the third quarter on Monday.
Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler throws a pass on Monday in the first half.
No. 21 Major Wright celebrates with No. 98 Corey Wootton of the Bears after Wright intercepted the ball during Monday's game.
Henry Melton of the Bears sacks quarterback Tony Romo of the Cowboys in the first quarter on Monday.
Tony Romo of the Cowboys, center, talks to his teammates during Monday's game.
No. 14 Eric Weems of the Bears celebrates on Monday. The Bears beat the Cowboys 34-18.
Team owner Jerry Jones of the Cowboys looks on as his team plays the Bears on Monday.
New York Giants wide receiver Ramses Barden, left, and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha go up for the ball during the fourth quarter on Sunday, September 30, in Philadelphia. Barden was called for pass interference on the play during the Eagles' 19-17 win.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the Eagles intercepts a pass in the end zone thrown by Giants quarterback Eli Manning during Sunday's game.
Giants wide receiver Ramses Barden catches a pass in front of Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.
David Wilson of the Giants is tackled by Brandon Boykin, top, center, and Alex Henery of the Eagles on a kick return Sunday.
Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is tackled by Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka on Sunday.
Martellus Bennett of the New York Giants runs after making a catch Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning drops back to pass on Sunday.
LeSean McCoy of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled by No. 26 Antrel Rolle and No. 93 Chase Blackburn of the New York Giants on Sunday.
James Jones of the Green Bay Packers catches a pass for a touchdown Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Morgan Burnett of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a missed field goal by the the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter Sunday.
Randall Cobb of the Green Bay Packers flips in the air Sunday after being hit by Corey White, left, and Malcolm Jenkins of the New Orleans Saints.
Quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints awaits the start of play against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Josh Wilson of the Washington Redskins hits receiver Arrelious Benn of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan yells after a touchdown Sunday against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackled Sunday by London Fletcher of the Washington Redskins.
Quincy Black of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dives for a deflected pass during Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb throws a pass over Randy Starks of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Reggie Bush of the Miami Dolphins is tackled in the backfield Sunday by No. 94 Sam Acho of the Arizona Cardinals.
Mike Pouncey of the Miami Dolphins prepares to snap the football to quarterback Ryan Tannehill during Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush watches from the sidelines on Sunday.
Takeo Spikes of the San Diego Chargers forces a fumble by Jamaal Charles of the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Eddie Royal of the San Diego Chargers rushes in for a touchdown Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
NFL head linesman John McGrath works during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets on Sunday.
Shaun Phillips of the San Diego Chargers hits quarterback Matt Cassel of the Kansas City Chiefs, causing a fumble during the second quarter on Sunday.
Jamaal Charles of the Kansas City Chiefs gets tackled by Eric Weddle of the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.
The New York Jets Flight Crew performs during the game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers calls out the play in the first quarter Sunday against the New York Jets.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets is sacked in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
No. 7 Colin Kaepernick of the San Fransisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown with teammates Alex Boone, left, and Joe Staley during Sunday's game against the New York Jets.
Jim Harbaugh, San Fransisco 49ers head coach, looks at notes during Sunday's game against the New York Jets.
Quaterback Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets, right, gets back to his feet after a fumble against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Jackie Battle of the San Diego Chargers reaches over the goal line for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Anthony Dixon of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with fans after a win over the New York Jets on Sunday.
Santonio Holmes of the New York Jets writhes on the turf after fumbling a ball picked up by Carlos Rogers of the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Derek Cox of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts to break up a pass intended for Armon Binns of the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by Jeremy Mincey of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Andrew Hawkins of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a catch Sunday under pressure from Dwight Lowery of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Chris Pressley of the Cincinnati Bengals is congratulated by his teammates after a touchdown Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots reacts from the sidelines after a turnover during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots catches a 41-yard pass during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.
Quarterback Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos looks to pass against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
Ronnie Hillman of the Denver Broncos runs the ball during the fourth quarter Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.
Joel Dreessen of the Denver Broncos catches a 22-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.
Demaryius Thomas of the Denver Broncos runs the ball Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.
A fan cheers on the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Darren McFadden of the Oakland Raiders is tackled for a loss by No. 95 Derek Wolfe and No. 52 Wesley Woodyard of the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Sports Authority Field Field at Mile High in Denver.
Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions, right, drops the ball in the end zone after a tackle by Jamarca Sanford of the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder passes the football as Cliff Avril of the Detroit Lions attempts a diving tackle on Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit.
Michael Turner of the Atlanta Falcons rushes away from Carolina Panthers defenders on Sunday.
Michael Turner of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled during Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Greg Olsen of the Carolina Panthers makes a catch and runs for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Roddy White of the Atlanta Falcons fails to pull in a touchdown reception against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Chris Givens of the St. Louis Rams makes a catch against Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis on Sunday.
Austin Pettis of the St. Louis Rams tries to stay upright with the ball as Malcolm Smith of the Seattle Seahawks attempts to make a diving tackle on Sunday.
Trumaine Johnson of the St. Louis Rams intercepts a pass intended for Doug Baldwin of the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Johnathan Joseph of the Houston Texans, right, celebrates with teammate Glover Quin after Quin sacked Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker on Sunday.
Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans is tackled during Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.
Arian Foster of the Houston Texans leaps over Jurrell Casey, No. 99 of the Tennessee Titans, as he is tackled by Will Witherspoon, No. 92, at Reliant Arena in Houston on Sunday.
NFL officials wave to the fans during the pre-game warmup on Sunday at the Tennessee Titans-Houston Texans game.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Greg Little fails to make this catch in the end zone during the Browns' game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, September 27. The Ravens defeated the Browns 23-16. It was the first game back for the regular referees after a three-week lockout.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, left, hugs Cleveland quarterback Brandon Weeden following the Ravens' win on Thursday.
Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta, right, misses a pass against Cleveland middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson.
Free safety Ed Reed, No. 20 of the Baltimore Ravens, breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Cleveland tight end Jordan Cameron late in the fourth quarter.
Jordan Norwood, right, of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens.
Ravens fans cheer the return of regular referees at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Trent Richardson of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball in for a touchdown.
Referee Gene Steratore looks on during Thursday's game between the Browns and Ravens.
Running back Trent Richardson of the Cleveland Browns flips upside down during a run against the Baltimore Ravens.
Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday.
Umpire Bill Schuster, center, and referee Gene Steratore break up a fight between Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens players during the game on Thursday.
Quarterback Brandon Weeden of the Cleveland Browns hands off to running back Trent Richardson on Thursday.
Outside linebacker Paul Kruger, center, of the Baltimore Ravens celebates after inside linebacker Ray Lewis, left, sacked Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden on Thursday.
Wide receiver Joshus Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns lies unconscious on the ground after getting hit by linebacker Dannell Ellerbe in the first quarter Thursday.
Quarterback Brandon Weeden of the Cleveland Browns makes a pass Thursday.
Wide receiver Torrey Smith of the Baltimore Ravens catches a touchdown pass in the second quarter against cornerback Tashaun Gipson of the Cleveland Browns Thursday.
Game officials take the field before the start of the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns game on Thursday, September 27 in Baltimore, Maryland. 
A timer got stuck (or something) during the 2012 London Olympics, allowing German fencer Britta Heidemann to defeat South Korean fencer Shin A-Lam in the epee semifinal. Shin sat on the piste for an hour, crying at times, while officials worked out the question.
Baseball umpire Bill Joyce admittedly blew a call at first base, robbing the Detroit Tigers' Armando Galarraga of a perfect game vs. the Cleveland Indians in 2010. Joyce wept when he met Galarraga at home plate before the next day's game.
In a 2009 qualifying match for the 2010 World Cup, French striker Thierry Henry got away with touching the ball with his hand — twice — before teammate William Gallas scored the winning goal against Ireland, knocking the Irish out of the competition.
A regular NFL referee screwed up the call on an overtime coin toss on Thanksgiving Day 1998, and the Detroit Lions beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Referees failed to call Germany's Torsten Frings for a handball during a 2002 match, and the U.S. was knocked out of the World Cup tournament.
Argentina's Diego Maradona illegally touched the ball with his hand while scoring a goal against England in soccer's 1986 World Cup tournament. It became known as the "Hand of God" after Maradona credited divine intervention for the dubious goal.
In 1999, the Dallas Stars' Brett Hull scored in triple overtime with a skate in the crease -- which at the time was illegal -- and the Stars went on to win the Stanley Cup over the Buffalo Sabres.
New York Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch put a phantom tag on Jose Offerman of the Boston Red Sox during the American League Championship Series in 1999. Offerman was called out, and the Yankees went on to win.
In college football, on-field officials gave Colorado a fifth down (a team gets only four) to score a touchdown during a crucial game against Missouri in 1990. Colorado won 33-31 and went on to claim part of the national title. Missouri fans pulled down the goalpost after the loss.
American boxer Roy Jones Jr. dominated his South Korean opponent in the gold-medal match at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, only to see Park Si-Hun handed the decision.
Umpire Don Denkinger called the Kansas City Royals' Jorge Orta safe at first base despite being beaten by half a step in the ninth inning of a 1985 World Series game against St. Louis. Kansas City went on to win the game and the series.
In the 1972 Olympics, officials reset the clock three times in the final moments to allow the USSR to prevail in the gold-medal basketball game against the undefeated U.S. team. Before the clock was reset, the U.S. team mistakenly celebrated what they thought was a win.
Baltimore Orioles catcher Elrod Hendricks tagged sliding Cincinnati runner Bernie Carbo with an empty glove in a 1970 World Series game, but umpire Ken Burkhart — who had his back to the play — called Carbo out. (By the way, Carbo also missed the plate.)
Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate, in navy blue, jumps for the ball, surrounded by Green Bay players. Before he made the catch in the end zone, Tate shoved Packers defender Sam Shields in the back, which would typically draw an offensive pass interference penalty.
The group falls to the ground in the end zone. Packers defensive back M.D. Jennings appeared to intercept the pass and had both hands wrapped around the ball with the ball pulled into his chest.
Referees rush over to make the call.
On Twitter, this is being called the "official photo" of the replacement referee debacle. Two officials in the end zone gave contradictory signals: One signaled a touchdown and the other signaled a clock stoppage, indicating a change of possession and an interception.
Tate and No. 14 Charly Martin wrestle with Jennings.
The play was reviewed on video but was ruled a touchdown. See the best of NFL Week 3.
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