Football Zebras.com

10.37 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

The New England Patriots and the New York Giants are headed to Super Bowl XLVI. Your referee is John Parry.

10.17 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

OT | 13:38. Both teams now have the opportunity to possess. We are now in regular sudden-death overtime. First. Score. Wins.

10.10 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 0:00 San Francisco would not have been able to advance that fumble unless it was recovered by the player who fumbled, Delanie Walker, so the play was dead as soon as it was recovered by Kendall Hunter.

10.08 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Here is the Cliff’s Notes version of the new modified sudden death overtime rules.

10.02 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th qtr | 2:00. Forward progress was ruled prior to the runner losing the ball. The whistle also blew first, so no fumble. It is not a reviewable play.

9.32 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 9:22 49ers free safety Dashon Goldson did not get there too early on an incomplete pass to Hakeem Nicks, but did seem to have hold of Nicks’ facemask as he twisted Nicks to the ground. Goldson may have gotten away with one there.

9.23 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Looks like we have “incontrovertable” evidence of the ball touching the kick returner.

9.17 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Why was the umpire scurrying away from the ball when the delay of game penalty was called? The umpire was keeping the ball dry, and so he zips out as soon as the offense takes the line of scrimmage. That said, it looks like the 49ers were looking for the delay of game penalty, anyway, to give them more room to avoid a touchback on the punt.

8.35 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

First half. Penalties: Giants 3 for 15 yards (illegal use of hands, invalid fair catch signal, delay of game); 49ers 3 for 35 yards (unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness, delay of game). Replay: Booth review on the 49ers touchdown allowed the call to stand.

8.26 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

During the personal foul call in the second quarter, members of the 49ers bench started onto the field, when someone wearing a blue jacket came in to maintain the peace.

It is referee Jeff Triplette, who is at the game as an alternate in case of an injury. (H/t to FredFan7 at Behind the Football Stripes)

8.09 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Don’t tell Chris Webber, but calling a timeout when you don’t have one is not a penalty.

8.07 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Victor Cruz flopped himself to the turf during his run after the catch. He knows that counts as giving ones self up: Odd ruling saves Cruz from being NY goat

7.59 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Back to the unnecessary roughness penalty, two drives back. Two players locked up after the play and Anthony Davis lost his helmet. The officials gave both players a “there, there” as it was post-contact jamming, and more a continuation of the play. However, Vernon Davis for the 49ers came in separately, well after the conclusion of the play, and made contact which could not be ignored. Line judge John Hussey did not hesitate to flag that action, while everyone held their flags on the earlier post-play activity.

7.51 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Rarely called, that is the signal for invalid fair catch signal. Blackmon’s hand goes over his head, which causes confusion. Correct call, rather than just giving him the fair catch at the spot.

7.42 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Although I would be the first one to jump on Joe Buck for talking out of the opening normally not wired with a microphone, he is correct. It was, according to the league, “grandfathered in” as he said. But, more accurately, they crafted the rules around the Lambeau Leap to keep it legal.

7.38 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

I’m not sure Joe Buck was entirely accurate when he said it was “grandfathered in.” It was more likely used as an example of what is acceptable vs. what isn’t, much like spiking he ball or dunking it over the goalpost.

7.38 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Ed Hochuli’s microphone was cut off after the replay description earlier. We were able to get the rest of the announcement:

Uncontroverted evidence means evidence that indisputable and not open to question. In equity proceedings, where it is clearly shown that a trial court failed to consider uncontroverted evidence, or that the finding and decree are clearly against the weight of the evidence, the Court may consider the entire record, weigh the evidence, and render such judgment as the trial court should have rendered. But the court will not weigh the evidence in every equitable proceeding brought to the court, but will only do so where it is clearly shown that the trial court failed to consider uncontroverted evidence, or that the finding and decree are clearly against the weight of evidence.

(Actually, credit to USLegal.com)

7.27 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Regarding the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the 49ers touchdown: When you stand on a camera stand you are taunting your opponent. When Packers do a “Lambeau Leap” into the stands, you are not the focus, the fans are. Obviously, they did not want to legislate the Leap out of the game, but grandstanding yourself on a camera stand is not the same.

7.23 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Jacobs was definitely short of the line to gain, and difficult to see real-time. They got this one right.

7.16 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st Qtr | 2:23 On a 4th down run by Brandon Jacobs, the ball was spotted about a half-yard short. After viewing the replay several times, the spot was correct.

7.11 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Loved the smirk after he flubbed uncontroverted.

7.10 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

In Game 1, the announcement by Alberto Riveron:

After further review, the ruling on the field stands.

In Game 2, Ed Hochuli:

To reverse on replay, there must be uncontroverted evidence that the ruling on the field is wrong. In other words, you have to be certain. Here, the ruling on the field stands. It is a touchdown. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be enforced on the kickoff.

Hochuli is an attorney during the week, so his courtroom terminology comes to the gridiron. Motion for the defense, denied.

6.54 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st qtr | 11:58. Despite “a lot of contact,” both players are playing the ball, not the opposing player. No pass interference.

6.44 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Hochuli is officiating a conference championship in consecutive seasons.

6.20 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Incomplete pass in the end zone for the Ravens: In order to complete the process of the catch, you must have two feet down and have the ability to complete a football move. If the ball is dropped or knocked down there must be some recognizable amount of time possessing the ball after the second foot. These are called “bang-bang” plays where the ball pops out with the second foot. A still frame of the foot being down doesn’t finish that catch immediately.

6.13 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 0:22 Lee Evans needed to get both feet down in order for the catch in the end zone to count. The ball was knocked out by Sterling Moore just prior to Evans’ second foot came down. Good call on the field.

5.57 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 7:22. On the Ravens interception in the end zone, back judge Keith Ferguson made the right call in real time.

5.37 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 12:19. One hell of a spot for head linesman Kent Payne on the third down and goal. The runner had the ball in his right (upfield) arm. That was as close as it gets.

5.35 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

The replay angle right down the goal line cinches it: Tom Brady’s knee was down, and Riveron overturned the touchdown.

5.34 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

4th Qtr | 12:19 This touchdown on a Tom Brady run should be reversed by replay, as Brady’s knee was down just prior to the ball reaching the front of the goal line. The last replay shown, right along the goal line, was conclusive.

5.34 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Another replay review on the way, but it appears that the ball broke the plane of the end zone prior to the knee going down.

The call on the field is touchdown, so we are looking for conclusive evidence that it is not a touchdown.

5.32 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

You could argue that both of those interceptions directly resulted from those penalties, and would not have happened otherwise. Brady knew he had a free play on the most recent one, and the earlier illegal contact call caused the receiver to deflect the ball instead of securing it cleanly.

5.27 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

3rd Qtr | :10 Second Ravens interception by the Ravens that was negated by penalty (offsides for this one, illegal contact on the first-quarter pick).

5.20 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

3rd Qtr | 3:48. On the replay review of the touchdown, it appears that the runner is out of bounds from the end-zone angle. However, a side angle shows a little sliver of green between the sideline and his shoe, meaning he is still in bounds. There is no conclusive evidence to overturn, therefore the touchdown call on the field stands. In fact, the announcement was “the ruling on the field stands,” otherwise Riveron would have said “the ruling is confirmed.”

Update: Video of the play http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d82637b03/Smith-leaps-for-six

4.53 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

First half summary. Penalties: Ravens 3 for 18 yards (illegal contact erased interception, facemask, false start); Patriots 1 for 5 yards (12 men on the field for point-after-touchdown kick). Replay: No reviews.

4.50 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

It may not have been enough to qualify as indisputable visual evidence, but still might have been worth challenging. In real time, it certainly didn’t look like a catch.

4.45 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Looks like it was worth a challenge by the Ravens Patriots (sorry, typing fast). Even in slow-motion, you have difficulty seeing the left foot, unless you pause it. Even with the benefit of replay, commentator Phil Simms said “definitely out of bounds,” because the replay rolled forward enough to not see both.

4.31 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

A freeze frame of the aforementioned non-catch:

4.27 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

2nd Qtr | 3:11 A close call on a Rob Gronkowski catch. In real time, it looks like a good call, but on the super slow motion replay, it appears his left foot was still on the ground just as the pass hits his hands. Then his right foot comes down in bounds, before the left comes down out of bounds.

4.20 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

2nd Qtr | 3:15 No intentional grounding on a Tom Brady pass, as Danny Woodhead was in the area and it reached the line of scrimmage.

4.07 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

2nd Qtr | 7:11 Great spot on a Ray Rice run on 3rd and inches. No part of Rice’s body was down until his back hit the turf.

4.03 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

The officials declared the play dead once the player’s helmet comes off. From the Rulebook, 7-2-1(r):

Dead Ball Declared. An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended … when a runner’s helmet comes completely off.

3.44 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Dilly said:

Ben should chime in….

I need to get a second keyboard to tweet and live blog at the same time.

3.42 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st qtr | 4:38. On the punt return, the runner was pushed backwards, but then, under his own power, went further backwards in an effort to navigate around the blocking. In this case, the punt returner does not get the benefit of his forward progress.

3.42 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st qtr | 5:49. Good spot by line judge Podraza on forward progress by Williams. Even though he was spun around, and looked like he made a second effort, he was still contained.

3.40 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st Qtr | 5:49 Interesting spot on a 1st down Ricky Williams run. His initial forward progress was between the 15 & 16 yard line, but was then pushed back, then seemed to lunge forward again to around the 13. The ball was spotted at about the 14. Ben should chime in, but I believe that if the runner starts forward again after being pushed back, this constitutes a new forward progress spot. The final spot was somewhere between the two.

3.15 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

Line judge Tim Podraza is officiating his first championship game. Generally, only officials with five years’ seniority are selected, but Podraza is in his fourth season.

3.13 pm
the Football Zebras.com staff

1st qtr | 13:40 Ravens punt: no contact with the punter, even though he flopped on the ground. If any of the Patriots had contacted him, they were all actively blocked, so they would not have been penalized.

8.10 pm
Ben Austro

Game summary. Penalties: Giants 3 for 30 yards, Packers 3 for 20 yards. Replays: All were in the first quarter. First, the Packers had a fumble overturned to down by contact. Second, a down-by-contact call was not ruled a fumble on a Giants challenge. Then, there was a booth review for the Giants’ Hail Mary touchdown. At halftime, there were two yellow penalty flags and three red challenge flags (metaphorically including the booth challenge).

Game ball this weekend goes to John Parry’s crew in the Saints-49ers game. The entire crew kept calm in a back-and-forth game where one bad call could have changed everything.

7.38 pm
Ben Austro

Spoke too soon. It looks like Leavy called a roughing-the-passer penalty when he saw the jarring movement of Aaron Rodgers head. This is why a penalty is not called when you see the effects of a perceived helmet hit and not an actually observed helmet hit. That was a bad penalty at a critical juncture.

7.28 pm
Ben Austro

The crew is atoning for its 1st quarter missed call/missed challenge on the fumble that was ruled down by contact. Good regrouping at halftime, as this crew now looks like the other three officiating crews this weekend.

7.25 pm
dilly

4th Qtr | 6:53 Ryan Grant fumbled before he was down. Green Bay did not challenge, as it was clear from the replay. Good job by the officials in letting it play out.

7.13 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 3:20 Eli Manning was not guilty of intentional grounding. The pass fell at the feet of Bradshaw, meaning there was a receiver in the area, negating the penalty.

6.36 pm
dilly

First half summary. Penalties: Giants 1 for 5 yards, Packers 1 for 10 yards. Replay: One challenge by the Giants was upheld on the controversial Jennings non-fumble. One challenge by the Packers overturned a fumble on special teams. The replay booth also called for a review of the Hail Mary touchdown pass at the end of the half, which was confirmed.

6.31 pm
Ben Austro

Sorry for the outage. We had some server problems, and we will try to catch up.

5.24 pm
Ben Austro

1st Qtr | 1:45 Leavy denies the challenge to the Giants on a fumble. Even though the play was allowed to run as if it were a fumble, the on-field ruling was determined to be a fumble.

Although it appears that the ball did come out, Leavy ruled that some part of the runner’s body was down.

Had the Giants won the challenge, they would not have been entitled to the runback.

5.02 pm
Ben Austro

Regarding the 12 in the huddle play, I didn’t see anything. The Giants already went to the line of scrimmage, and as was ruled in the Giants-Falcons game last weekend, the timeout cannot save you. If, after you’ve broken the huddle, the officials see 12 players exiting the huddle, they may call 12 in the huddle after the fact.

However, if they break the huddle and make a substitution, the defense is allowed to make a reactionary substitution.

4.59 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 13:45 The Giants may have gotten away with 12 men in the huddle on a 3rd & 8 play. The broadcast did not show the huddle up, so New York may have been running a no-huddle. Eli took the timeout so that they didn’t run the play with 12 men on the field.

4.58 pm
Ben Austro

1st qtr | 8:24. Reversal is, in fact, ruled by Leavy.

4.56 pm
Ben Austro

1st qtr | 8:24 A fumble recovery by the Giants will be overturned on replay. The Packers returner had a knee down and then an elbow before the ball came loose. Down by contact at the 20.

4.50 pm
Ben Austro

1st qtr | 12:15. Good spot (veteran head linesman George Hayward) on the reception by Victor Cruz as a first down. He was down a yard short of the first-down line, then got up and got the first down. Cruz was not down by contact, because contact came before he caught the ball

4.40 pm
Ben Austro

Bill Leavy has three other members of his seven-man crew. As for the other three: two are likely assigned to the conference championship game and one is a rookie and, therefore, ineligible for a postseason assignment.

Field judge Jim Quirk is officiating in his first season of postseason eligibility.

4.17 pm
Ben Austro

Game summary. That must have been a nerve-wracking game to officiate. Many tight calls that were called correctly. The two replay reversals were a matter of inches and correctly overturned. Penalties: None in the second half, except a Texans penalty that was declined. Texans 3 for 20 yards, Ravens were not penalized. Replay: A Ravens challenge was upheld, two booth reviews overturned the spot of the ball.

4.05 pm
Ben Austro

4th Qtr | 1:38 A quarter yard to go for the first down, as Morelli reviews the spot of the ball in relation to the first down.

3.56 pm
Ben Austro

4th qtr | 2:07. The potential for a Texans fumble is not reviewable, because there is a down-by-contact ruling.

3.47 pm
Ben Austro

4th Qtr | 8:11. The Texans were able to gain yardage on their own fumble. The restriction is placed on fumbles after the two-minute warning or on fourth down. (In those cases, the ball goes back to the spot of the fumble.)

3.41 pm
dilly

4th Qtr | 10:22 Texans defensive back Daniel Manning bumped into Ravens receiver Ed Dickson a split-second before the ball reached Dickson on a second down pass play. In real time, it looked simultaneous. Only on replay could you see Manning disrupt the receiver just before the ball arrived.

3.28 pm
Ben Austro

Earlier, there was a Ravens injury to Ed Reed. The rule is that the injured player must sit out for one down. However, if the team calls a timeout, the player may return. Rulebook, 4-5-3:

When an injury timeout is called, the injured player must leave the game for the completion of one down. The player will be permitted to remain in the game if: (a) either team calls a charged team timeout…

3.19 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 1:53 On two straight Ray Rice runs, the officials spotted the ball well, just short of the goal line on each run.

3.19 pm
Ben Austro

3rd qtr | 1:59. Two quick, decisive calls by the line judge, Byron Boston. Ravens were short on the 3rd-and-goal and 4th-and-goal plays. Video of the play: http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d82606d24/Texans-goal-line-stand

2.35 pm
Ben Austro

First half summary. Penalties: Texans 3 for 20 yards, Ravens have none. Replay: One challenge by the Ravens was upheld; one booth review reversed the touchback

2.34 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | :28. Tough call to make in real time, but a correct reversal. It was clear that the Ravens, downing the ball, stepped into the end zone. That means the player is considered in the end zone, even if he is in the air.

2.34 pm
dilly

2.14 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 10:10 . Easy call for Morelli on the review. No visual evidence that Foster stepped out.

2.12 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 10:10 Baltimore challenged that Arian Foster went out of bounds on a sideline run, but a couple of relays showed no clear evidence that any part of his foot stepped on white chalk. There was not enough to overturn the call on the field.

2.00 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 11:46. First appearance of referee Pete Morelli on the false start penalty. Well-called game so far.

1.32 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 8:13 Anquan Boldin made a sideline catch. One of the announcers said that he thought Boldin’s right foot came down out of bounds, but after he gained possession, his right toe tapped in bounds prior to coming down out of bounds. It’s a good catch.

1.31 pm
Ben Austro

1st qtr | 11:25. Ravens Jimmy Smith recovered a muffed punt (misplayed catch on a punt) by the Texans. Smith fell on the ball, because he could not have advanced the recovered ball by rule. Therefore, rather than staying on his feet to score a touchdown (and potentially botching the recovery), Smith simply fell on the loose ball. Back judge Rob Vernatchi seemed to call the play dead after Smith was touched by a Texans player, but in actuality, it should have been declared dead upon recovery. Rulebook, 9-3-2, Item 1:

Legal Catch or Recovery. If the receiving team touches the ball beyond the line, a subsequent catch or recovery by the kicking team is legal, but the ball is dead. In the event of such a catch or recovery, it is first-and-10 for the kickers, or if the ball is caught or recovered by the kickers in the receiver’s end zone, it is a touchdown for the kickers.

1.21 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 10:35 Flacco’s body seemed to go over the goal line on the second down play, but it’s possible the ball was tucked lower on his body. The point of the ball has to cross the front of the goal line, regardless of where the runner’s body is. It amazes me how the officials can see the ball in that mass of humanity. Even on the replay, it’s impossible to tell where the ball was.

11.25 pm
Ben Austro

4th qtr | 3:10. Just to keep it interesting, the Patriots punted on third down! First time I ever recall seeing that.

11.15 pm
Ben Austro

4th qtr | 6:33. Steratore improvised a signal for a horse-collar tackle. The only signal is the personal foul signal.

10.05 pm
Ben Austro

First half summary. Penalties: Broncos 1 for 15 yards, Patriots 1 for 5 yards. Replays: one replay review upheld a Patriots touchdown

9.53 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 1:19. A timeout was called by the Broncos slightly after play clock expired. However, you gain about a half second as the officials have to observe :00 first, then turn their attention back to play. If, in that brief moment, they see a timeout signal (or if they see the ball is snapped), the offense gets the benefit of the doubt.

9.42 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 1:57 There was some hand contact between Deion Branch and Andre’ Goodman on the touchdown, which is allowed if neither player gains an advantage. Branch did push off a bit, but it was not called, as it rarely is in similar plays.

9.07 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 13:45 No illegal contact to Gronkowski on the 2nd down incomplete pass, as it was within five yards. If the ball was already in the air, it could’ve been pass interference, but the pass was not yet thrown.

8.51 pm
Ben Austro

And you can tell that Steratore is also a college basketball referee. While announcing the call on the field, he punctuated the announcement with “forward progress,” as if he was yelling to the scorer’s table.

8.47 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 5:23 Good forward progress call on the Demaryius Thomas catch. Once he starts getting pushed back, there can be no fumble unless he starts making progress again before the whistle is  blown.

8.38 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 6:42 Unbeknownst to Phil Simms, the point of the ball can hit the ground, as long as the receiver maintains control the whole time, which it appears he does. An angle not shown on the broadcast showing the ball moving would be needed to overturn this one, as the few they showed appear to be a catch.

8.28 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 10:07 First big call of the game, and it was an easy one, as Tebow fumbles. The ball was out before his arm started forward.

8.21 pm
Ben Austro

Greatgamelet’sgetovertoNewEnglandandthePatriotsscored.

11.47 pm
Ben Austro

The recap, after the conclusion of the night game. Penalties: Saints had no enforced penalties (one was declined), 49ers were penalized 3 times for 33 yards, with 2 penalties declined. Replays: The Saints challenged a fumble which was overturned; the replay booth looked at a 49ers touchdown that was upheld.

8.00 pm
Ben Austro

4th qtr | 2:18. Apparently, illegal substitution was under review for the touchdown.

7.59 pm
Ben Austro

Despite the protests of 10 men in the huddle, the 49ers did have 12 men in the huddle. Alex Smith retreated from the huddle while another offensive substitute exited the field. The counting starts when the quarterback enters the huddle, and just because he exits the huddle, the penalty is still called.

7.13 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 1:42 Same goes for you, Mr. Williams. Strange that the 49ers would go right back to trying another pick on the play immediately after being called for it.

7.10 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 1:48 That’s a legal check in hockey, or pick in basketball, but not in the NFL, Mr. Ginn.

6.58 pm
Ben Austro

3rd qtr | 6:40 On a 49ers backwards pass that hit the ground, head linesman Derick Bowers emphatically signaled for a backward pass. This was likely something that was discussed in the officials’ meetings this week after the two incidents from last week.

6.54 pm
Ben Austro

3rd qtr | 8:43 Drew Brees signaled timeout before the snap (and before the expiration of the play clock), and the play resulted in an incomplete pass. It was a sloppy call to award the timeout after hearing an appeal from Saints coach Sean Payton. Yes, they should have granted the timeout, but they should have shut down the play.

6.30 pm
Ben Austro

First half statistics. Penalties: Saints 0, 49ers 2 for 28 yards, including the questionable defensive pass interference early in the first quarter. Replay: One replay review reversed a Saints fumble.

6.19 pm
dilly

Also, Brees’ knee was not down, nor was he past the line of scrimmage.

6.18 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | :04 A quick shovel pass forward is still ruled an incomplete forward pass, not a fumble.

6.07 pm
Ben Austro

Once they did call down-by-contact, it is no longer reviewable. But the right call was made on the field. Also, the contact in a down-by-contact call must come after the catch, not before.

6.04 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 1:49 Tarell Brown should be down by contact. Good call to conference and get the call right without the need for replay.

5.33 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 12:22. A replay reversal on a catch by Saints receiver Darren Sproles. The initial ruling was that the ball was stripped from his possession prior to his knee touching, but the replay showed otherwise.

5.28 pm
dilly

First bad call of the game, though that early pass interference was close, too.

5.27 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 12:22 Sproles is clearly down by contact with control. This will be overturned.

4.50 pm
Ben Austro

Also, there is no helmet-to-helmet contact, as Thomas is not in a defenseless posture. Video of the play: http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d825fe041/Whitner-hit-causes-fumble

4.48 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 8:44 Pierre Thomas fumbled. Forward progress would only be called if the runner was wrapped up and being pushed backwards.

4.42 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 11:34 Enough contact + head not turned around is pass interference on Whitner.

4.31 pm
Ben Austro

Line judge Rusty Banes gets a postseason assignment in his first year of eligibility.

8.53 pm
Ben Austro

Penalties: Steelers 6 for 61 yards, Broncos 5 for 30 yards.

The replay booth was busy:

• Steelers challenged a 21 yard completion, which was reversed.
• Broncos challenged a 52 yard completion, which was reversed.
• A Steelers touchdown was reviewed by the replay official, and reversed to have the ball spotted at the 1.
• Broncos challenged a fumble ruling which was upheld
• Broncos challenged an incomplete pass to get a recovery on a backwards pass. Simply stated, the Broncos would not have gotten the ball even if they won the challenge, so the challenge was withdrawn.

8.39 pm
Ben Austro

Rewinding to the fourth quarter, 14:15 remaining

john mitchell asked:

Was the pass behind the line of scrimmage. If so there should have not been pass interference. Did not see a replay. Denver ball on the 2.

The foul was downfield, and #12 for the Broncos was engaged all the way to the end zone with the defender. Even though it was on the offense, the fact that the pass was behind the line doesn’t negate the interference downfield.

8.10 pm
Ben Austro

I spent more time explaining the modified sudden death rules than the actual duration of the overtime!

8.01 pm
Ben Austro

Rulemageddon!

We have our first Modified Sudden Death game … or “last licks” from elementary school days

7.45 pm
Ben Austro

Just in case, here are the modified sudden death rules.

7.40 pm
Ben Austro

Overturned and no more challenges available to the Broncos for the rest of the game.

7.36 pm
dilly

4th Qtr | 7:35 Denver challenges the McGahee fumble, but replay before the break clearly shows that the ball is out before either knee hits the ground. They will lose this one.

7.18 pm
dilly

4th Qtr | 13:56 Denver wanted a facemask penalty on PIT DE Cameron Heyward, but he grabbed Lance Ball by the front of the jersey, so it’s a good no-call.

7.07 pm
Ben Austro

Not sure where the distinction between fumbles and backward passes factors in (still looking), but here is the rule that keeps the defense from recovering the misplayed lateral:

Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1.

An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended … when an official sounds his whistle while the ball is still in play, the ball becomes dead immediately;

(i) If the ball is in player possession, the team in possession may elect to put the ball in play where it has been declared dead or to replay the down.
(ii) If the ball is a loose ball resulting from a fumble, backward pass, or illegal forward pass, the team last in possession may elect to put the ball in play at the spot where possession was lost or to replay the down.

6.56 pm
Ben Austro

3rd qtr | 4:52. Ron Winter back under the hood to review a Steelers touchdown.

6.56 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 4:52. This Isaac Redman touchdown should be overturned, and the ball placed inside the 1. Definitely not a fumble, though, for two reasons. His knee was down before the ball came out, and the ball came out because of hitting the ground, which would be down by contact.

6.50 pm
Ben Austro

Actually, let me retract that. Backwards passes and fumbles are not equivalent. This would have been ruled a loss of a yard rather than a Broncos recovery. Although, I think the rule is that once a challenge is requested, it must be granted.

6.47 pm
Ben Austro

3rd qtr | 8:07. That was clearly a backwards pass (lateral), and it was ruled an incomplete forward pass. Replay can overturn the play and rule for a Denver recovery.

John Fox should win this challenge, and he will then be entitled the the rare third challenge.

6.46 pm
dilly

3rd qtr | 8:07 Denver challenges an incomplete pass, which looks pretty clearly to be a fumble recovered by Denver. They should win their second challenge, getting the ball and an extra challenge.

6.43 pm
Ben Austro

3rd qtr | 9:57. I do believe that is a 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty in all four Wild Card games.

6.42 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 9:57 And now the circle is complete. 12 men in the huddle on the Steelers, makes it at least once in each game this weekend.

6.34 pm
Ben Austro

mm commented below:

re: review, incomplete pass. The player was not going to the ground when he made the catch. He got 2 feet down before being tackled. He then lost the ball after he was down. I think they made the right call originally.

The process of the catch involves these steps: When you control the ball, get two feet down, and then be able to do something other than falling down. In this case, contact is irrelevant. The receiver has to do more than just catching the ball and using the ground as a crutch, because that is what was defined to be a professional catch.

Like it or not, that is the rule, and it was applied correctly. It does make for some odd situations where 50 people in a bar think it’s complete, but it sets an objective bar for the criteria for a completion, rather than leaving the official to judge the catch on subjectivity.

6.24 pm
Ben Austro

First half summary. Penalties: Steelers 1 for 9 yards, Broncos 4 for 20 yards. Two challenges resulted in two reversals. The Steelers had a Broncos 21-yard completion ruled incomplete, and the Broncos were able to erase a 52-yard completions by the Steelers.

6.17 pm
Ben Austro

Doesn’t count as a penalty, as Wallace was an open-field runner. Odd distinction in the rule, but correct.

6.09 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 5:53 Denver FS Quinton Carter should have been flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Mike Wallace on a 3rd down catch. We’ve seen much less contact get flagged, including the Harrison roughing the passer call earlier.

5.38 pm
Ben Austro

I was spending the commercial in DVR mode, but the replay after the commercial confirms…

5.35 pm
dilly

The first replay back from break showed it pretty clearly. Play correctly overturned

5.34 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 13:21 Denver challeges a long Mike Wallace catch. Initial replays before the break do not show a good angle of the ball.

5.34 pm
Ben Austro

Broncos are challenging the completion. As are we.

5.29 pm
dilly

On the TD, I originally thought Eddie Royal did not get both feet down before his backside touched out of bounds, but his right knee did. Replay official confirmed the TD.

5.29 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 13:24 Short delay to confirm the touchdown, but no formal review was necessary.

5.27 pm
Ben Austro

Touchdown Broncos, but I would expect a review after seeing the live shot only.

5.25 pm
Ben Austro

… and obviously I am wrong. I was looking at the fumble aspect, but, yes that is an incomplete pass.

5.22 pm
Ben Austro

First challenge of Sunday. Steelers are going to lose a challenge.

5.22 pm
dilly

Pittsburgh challenging that play, but will likely lose it.

5.21 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 14:44 Eric Decker was correctly called down by contact, as the ball came out simultaneous to his hitting the ground.

5.15 pm
Ben Austro

1st qtr | 0:27 A lot of contact on the pass, but no pass interference foul. Most of the contact was incidental and players getting their feet tangled. Ben Roethlisberger tries to plead his case with head linesman  Julian Mapp

5.15 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 0:27 The contact on Antonio Brown was all within five yards before the pass, and he was tripped incidentally by another defender. It was close, but seems like the correct non-call.

4.45 pm
Ben Austro

Ron Winter is the referee. Two officials are substituting from Ed Hochuli’s crew, including second-year official Ronald Torbert at side judge. This is the first year of postseason eligibility for Torbert, and it is quite a statement that he’s in as a sub. Torbert cannot qualify for a conference championship until his fifth year, so this tells that he scored very well that the officiating department decided to put him in this game without his regular crew.

4.20 pm
Ben Austro

Penalties: Falcons 3 for 15 yards (plus one that was declined by the Giants),  Giants 7 for 73  (+2 declined). One penalty resulted in the only two points the Falcons scored. No challenges or reviews made for an easy game check for the replay official. However, there was a key non-review on a first down spot near the end of the second quarter. In a game of a lot of tight ball-spotting calls, the one that jumps out is the missed spot.

4.00 pm
dilly

That Williams tackle  reminded me a lot of the Nick Fairley tackle of Pierre Thomas that was not flagged yesterday. Both were shortly after the whistle, but Fairley’s tackle was much more forceful. Video of the hit: http://bit.ly/xYh0o1

3.58 pm
Ben Austro

4th qtr | 2:33 There doesn’t seem to be much more that Giants linebacker Jacquian Williams could have done on the play to avoid the 15-yard roughness penalty and keep the player from achieving the first down.

3.30 pm
dilly

4th Qtr | 10:47 Back to a good spot on the Jacobs run, whose knee was down before he rolled forward to the sticks.

3.17 pm
Ben Austro

Easy call on the illegal block in the back when the blocker is shoved into a somersault.

3.15 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 4:21 Possibly another bad spot, as Roddy White was down at the 21, but the officials spotted him just outside the 20, just inches shy of the first down. Then, the Falcons went for it and were stuffed. Had they been spotted a full yard short, they may have kicked the FG instead.

3.14 pm
Ben Austro

Huge penalty on the Falcons for 12 men in the huddle. One yard short on the 3rd-and-15, and loss on downs on 4th. Giants then turn it around for seven points.

3.09 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 5:10 We’ve now seen illegal substitution (12 men in the huddle) penalties in each of this weekend’s games. These are playoff teams, remember.

3.04 pm
Ben Austro

3rd qtr | 5:14 No grounding penalty on Ryan: well outside the tackle box, and pass made it beyond the line of scrimmage.

3.03 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 5:14 Ryan did two things that Manning didn’t earlier: he got out of the pocket, and he threw it past the line of scrimmage. No intentional grounding there.

2.57 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 7:51 Owens contacted Nicks plenty before the pass, but it was within five yards, and there was no holding. Nor was there any altering the movement of the receiver once the ball was in the air. I think that’s a good no-call.

2.42 pm
Ben Austro

First half summary

Penalties: Falcons 1 for 5 yards, Giants 3 for 28. Falcons also declined 1 penalty. Falcons get a safety on a Giants intentional grounding penalty. No challenges or replays in the first half, although, there was one that was missed by the replay official.

Of all the tight calls on spots, this one will be the one that is remembered, not the six of them that were right. And if you are playing the Joe Buck drinking game, and you had “It depends on the spot,” then you are flat on your ass right now.

2.38 pm
dilly

2.38 pm
Ben Austro

Bad call there. NFL analyst Mike Pereira is discussing on Fox right now (and he tweeted that right after you posted).

2.24 pm
dilly

2nd qtr | 1:23 The 2nd down completion to Nicks looked like it may have been spotted a bit short of forward progress. A rare miss that may have cost the Giants the ball. Plus there was no measurement, which was also odd.

2.23 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | :29 Head-first slide by Falcons’ Matt Ryan goes to the spot of the ball at the end of the slide. If it was feet first, then it would go to the the spot at the beginning of the slide.

2.16 pm
Ben Austro

Also, field judge Laird Hayes had at least three sideline calls on punts which are not easy.

2.08 pm
Ben Austro

Video of the 4th-and-inches play for the Falcons: http://bit.ly/xMX2s0

2.03 pm
dilly

And all three spots looked spot on.

2.02 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 3:31 Head linesman Phil McKinnely and line judge Tom Symonette have had some hard spotting calls on three short yardage situations.

1.50 pm
Ben Austro

Clear intentional grounding, but good communication with Cheffers’ crew to make sure all criteria met. Spot foul in end zone is a safety

1.49 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 13:44 Three close calls in a row, and all appear to be correct. The ball was correctly spotted just short of a first down on 3rd & 4th down for the Falcons. Then Eli Manning threw the ball away while in the end zone, but did not get it back to the line of scrimmage, nor was there a receiver in the area, resulting in a safety.

1.17 pm
dilly

1st Qtr | 10:57 Eli Manning’s knee was down just before the ball was ripped out. Good call in real time by the crew.

11.15 pm
Ben Austro

Stats for the game. Penalties: Lions 7 for 62 yards, Saints 3 for 18, both with 1 declined penalty, 1 pair of offsetting penalties. No coach’s challenges. One replay review overturned a Saints touchdown and upheld a Lions touchdown.

10.52 pm
Ben Austro

Video of the touchdown: www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d825cd89c/Stafford-dives-it-in

The ball even crosses the plane before the pylon is contacted.

10.23 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 1:08 It looks like Stafford’s knee goes down at the exact same time that the ball hits the pylon. Seems like the call on the field, and after the review, is correct.

10.11 pm
Ben Austro

Al Michaels should know the rule that you can recover after a whistle. (from a Sunday Night game in 2009 when the rule came into effect)

10.04 pm
dilly

3rd Qtr | 8:44 Generous spot on the Colston catch on 3rd & 11. Looks like it may have been a half yard short, but no challenge by the Lions.

9.50 pm
Ben Austro

Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth said the officials cannot give the ball to the Lions, because  they recovered after the whistle. Wrong!

9.36 pm
Ben Austro

Now the Lions get one in their favor on the “process of the catch.” See the story we ran at that time.

9.31 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 0:16 Saints WR Marques Colston lost the catch after he went to the ground. As the rules currently stands, this is incomplete, though this interpretation has come under some scrutiny in the past couple of years, most notably due to a non-catch by Calvin Johnson in Week 1 of the 2010 season vs. the Bears.

9.18 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 4:23 Nick Fairley’s tackle of Pierre Thomas could have been flagged for unnecessary roughness, as it was just after the whistle, but was not. Fairley executed a side suplex that would make Arn Anderson proud.

9.15 pm
dilly

Lastly, it appears the Lions recovered on the 36, but the ball was spotted around the 37-38 yard line.

9.15 pm
Ben Austro

The recovery after the whistle is allowed after a high-profile play in ’08 when referee Ed Hochuli ruled a fumble an incomplete pass. Under the rules at the time, he could not reverse to a fumble recovery. The rule was changed in that  offseason.

9.13 pm
Ben Austro

Tony Corrente was right on with the fumble call, but one of the linesman blew his whistle for incomplete. Since the ball is loose, you can play through the whistle and make an immediate recovery, but you cannot advance the ball.

9.10 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 5:39 Definitely a fumble by Brees. However, several whistles were blowing before the ball was recovered, so the play should have been called dead at the whistle, if I’m not mistaken.

8.58 pm
Ben Austro

I re-checked that. Corrente said “the spot of the ball is correct.” It looked like they moved from the 12 to the 13, but they did in fact have it on the 13, because that’s where the sticks were.

8.54 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 13:54 There was some confusion as to the spot at the beginning of the DET drive after the illegal block in the back penalty on the kickoff. The crew had a brief conference and correctly re-spotted the ball on the 13 yard line.

8.45 pm
Ben Austro

Quiet first quarter and moving along quickly. 1 penalty for 12 men in the huddle on the Lions. NBC didn’t even give Tony Corrente any face time.

8.08 pm
Ben Austro

Welcome to the Game 2 live blog. Tony Corrente and his crew will be officiating today. Corrente took several weeks off during the season for cancer treatments and was still able to qualify for a postseason assignment. Great to see him make the cut!

7.45 pm
Ben Austro

A quiet second half, officiating-wise. Bengals were penalized 3 times for 25 yards, Texans 5 for 87. One Texans penalty declined. No second half challenges.

7.13 pm
Ben Austro

4th qtr | 7:38 Not heard on TV: Bengals declined the penalty for delay of game prior to the punt. Still, they wound up being pinned inside the 10 yard line after the punt.

7.10 pm
Ben Austro

Also by rolling forward and sticking the ball out, Gresham completed the process of the catch by making a football move. That could have been close, but certainly a catch.

7.05 pm
dilly

4th Qtr | 13:30 Decisive call on a catch by the Bengals’ Jermaine Gresham. He clearly had control and was down before the defender jarred it loose. No conference required.

6.24 pm
Ben Austro

First half statistics

Bengals 2 penalties for 20 yards, Texans 3 for 72. Two challenges by the Bengals, both upheld, and the Bengals are without challenges throughout the rest of the game. No challenges by the Texans bench and no replay reviews initiated by the replay booth.

6.15 pm
Ben Austro

Was that challenge because Lewis thought the receiver did not have control of the ball? The ball can move around while still maintaining control. Bad challenge

5.56 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 2:00 Want to know why Blakeman’s crew is in the playoffs? They have been able to communicate and call a tight game through now. Good call to pick up the flag, as Texans lineman Mike Brisiel was pushed into the pile.

5.55 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 2:00 Good job picking up the flag on a late hit, as #65 Mike Brisiel of HOU was pushed into the pile by a defender.

5.48 pm
Ben Austro

Blakeman announces the challenge as “down by contact.” Looks like CIN will be w/o challenges for the rest of the game

5.48 pm
dilly

I would even argue that Daniels had the ball and was down before the defender got his own hands around it. Play should be upheld.

5.46 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 4:33 Looks like simultaneous possession, which goes to the receiver.

5.38 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 7:57 A.J. Green and Brice McCain had their arms tangled. Interference could have been called on either or both of them, so a good no-call.

5.33 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 9:02 Donald Lee was down by contact before the ball came out. The ground can’t cause a fumble.

5.31 pm
Ben Austro

Blakeman rules that the runner is short; Bengals challenge fails

5.31 pm
dilly

2nd Qtr | 10:02 Replay shows that Benson’s elbow hit short of the 30. Call correctly upheld.

5.30 pm
Ben Austro

Clearly short

5.29 pm
Ben Austro

2nd qtr | 10:02 CIN challenges the spot in relation to a first down

5.13 pm
dilly

1st Quarter | 2:31 remaining | 7-7. Bernard Scott of the Bengals converted a 2nd and 1 for a first down. He seemed short, possibly, but the replay did not get a good shot of where the ball was when forward progress was stopped.

5.11 pm
Ben Austro

Back to the personal foul, that was flagged (correctly) as a blow to head/neck area, not helmet-to-helmet

5.02 pm
dilly

1st Quarter | 6:31 remaining | Cin 7-0. Personal Foul for hitting a defenseless receiver to the head and neck on Reggie Nelson of Cincinnati. Looked like a good call live, and replay showed it clearly, good call.

4.54 pm
Ben Austro

Second penalty of the game is a big one: 53 yards. Easy call for back judge Terrence Miles.