Feb 13, 2022

  • Kevin SeifertESPN Staff Writer

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    • ESPN.com national NFL writer
    • ESPN.com NFC Northward reporter, 2008-2013
    • Covered Vikings for Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1999-2008

Your instincts were correct if you felt similar NFL officials were throwing more flags in the 2021 season. Penalties ticked up to thirteen.88 per game during the regular flavor, a bit higher than in the 2020 season (13.14) simply still way below where they were in 2019 (16.17) and 2018 (15.87).

That's the longer-term context as you watch this twelvemonth's postseason games. It would be a surprise if we saw many penalty-filled games, and with whatever luck nosotros'll spend the side by side iv weeks talking about the performance of players and coaches, not almost the fouls that were called (or uncalled) confronting them.

But there are many rules-based twists and turns to consider across flags. In the 2020 AFC Title Game, for case, and then-NFL senior vice president Al Riveron allowed a review for a nonreviewable play. Ultimately, he reversed a telephone call that should non accept been looked at in the game that decided who would represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Nosotros'll have all of your officiating needs covered in this mail service, which will exist updated as needed with rule explanations, important context and other officiating trends. Come along for the ride. (The most contempo plays are at the superlative.)

What happened at the end of the Rams' game-winning drive?

Rams-Bengals Super Bowl, 1:51-i:38 remaining in the fourth quarter

What happened: A iv-play sequence on the most crucial possession of the game included four flags and i very big miss. Referee Ron Torbert'southward crew had thrown only four flags total upwards until that point.

How it was resolved: The Rams got an extra get-go down only also had a touchdown taken off the board during the wild sequence, before taking the lead for adept.

Analysis: The sequence began with the Rams facing second-and-goal at the Bengals' 8-k line. Torbert'due south crew decided against calling Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt for defensive property or pass interference on a pass over the middle to running back Darrell Henderson Jr. Replay showed Pratt materially restricting Henderson from getting to the brawl, both before Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw the ball and after.

On the next play, Torbert's coiffure mobilized. It penalized Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson for holding Rams receiver Cooper Kupp on another incomplete laissez passer, giving the Rams a first downward at their 4-yard line. At that place appeared to be less aggressive contact by Wilson on that play, but we have seen that call made in other NFL games this season that were being officiated more tightly than the Super Bowl.

The third play featured a touchdown pass to Kupp, nullified by offsetting penalties on Rams offensive lineman Rob Havenstein for belongings and Bengals safety Vonn Bell for unnecessary roughness. The penalty for Bell'south belatedly hitting to Kupp'due south head after the score was certainly justified, while Havenstein's hold was not dissimilar to many other blocks that went uncalled over the course of the night.

On the fourth play, Bengals cornerback Eli Apple was penalized for pass interference as he attempted to proceed Kupp from catching the brawl in the end zone, giving the Rams another set of downs they ultimately didn't need.

It's of import to view these calls as a whole because they exposed the tightrope officials walk when they do what most fans say they want: let the players play. Doing and then invites players to ramp up their aggression and test how much they can get away with. Past the end of the game, yous have players blatantly grabbing each other, daring to be penalized. When officials inevitably throw their flags, they appear to exist "inconsistent" or otherwise departing from the tone they have ready during the rest of the game. In truth, they are responding to the players' response to that tone.

Viewed on their own, none of those flags was completely unjustified. But if you want to know why officials suddenly started throwing their flags in the final two minutes of the Super Bowl, the consequences of "letting them play" must exist a big part of the conversation.

No face mask call?

Rams-Bengals Super Bowl, fourteen:44 remaining in the third quarter

What happened: Bengals receiver Tee Higgins grabbed Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey'southward face mask and turned his head, pulling Ramsey out of position as Higgins jumped for a Joe Burrow pass.

How information technology was resolved: Higgins was not penalized, and his ensuing 75-yard touchdown play counted.

Analysis: This was not an unexpected outcome for those who had been watching the game closely. Referee Ron Torbert'southward all-star crew threw simply 3 flags in the first half, and all 3 were unavoidable: one for filibuster of game, one for false get-go and one for unsportsmanlike conduct when an inactive Bengals player (cornerback Vernon Hargreaves Three) ran onto the field to celebrate an interception in street clothes.

That'southward a long way of saying there was non a single flag for a "judgment" foul such every bit holding, pass interference and, yep, pulling a face mask. Keep in listen that Torbert's crew didn't throw a flag when Ramsey grabbed Higgins' jersey on a tertiary-down incompletion at the goal line in the first quarter, leaving the Bengals to kicking a 29-yard field goal. Based on the way the first half was called, both teams were well-brash to ramp up the assailment in the second half, and Higgins did just that. In every game, officials must judge whether contact with a player's face mask is "forcible," as required by the rule book. Because officials are human, interpretations can vary.

We have absolutely seen a flag for instances comparable to what Higgins did Sunday. But Torbert's coiffure, to that point at least, had clearly non been looking to insert itself into the game. It'due south up to players on both sides to suit.

The touchdown would not have counted, and the Bengals would have been penalized 15 yards, had a flag been thrown.

Illegal hit on Stafford?

49ers-Rams NFC Championship Game, 7:04 remaining in the offset quarter

What happened: Niners linebacker Fred Warner hit Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford'due south head with his own helmet following a 49ers interception, sending Stafford to the ground.

How it was resolved: In that location was no penalty, and the 49ers took over at their 23-m line.

Assay: Referee Carl Cheffers' crew should have thrown a flag. The NFL rulebook prohibits such contact against a quarterback post-obit a change of possession "until he assumes a distinctly defensive position." Even later on that, even so, information technology is still a foul if "(i) an opponent forcibly hits the quarterback'southward head or neck area with his helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder (2) if an opponent lowers his head and makes forcible contact with whatsoever office of his helmet against whatsoever part of the passer's body." The rule goes on to say that "this provision does not prohibit incidental contact past the mask or the helmet in the grade of a conventional cake."

When you await at the play, it's articulate that Warner took a shot at Stafford's head from behind. Whether or not Stafford was attempting to make a tackle -- which he wasn't -- the hit was illegal according to NFL rules. The penalization would have been enforced after the change of possession, so the 49ers would have retained possession.

No taunting for Hill?

Bills-Chiefs divisional-round game, ane:02 remaining in the fourth quarter

What happened: Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill directed a "peace sign" toward Bills defenders as he neared the goal line at the end of a 64-k touchdown reception.

How information technology was resolved: Hill was not penalized, and the touchdown counted.

Analysis: The NFL's 2021 emphasis on taunting was implemented in no small role due to Hill'southward peace sign. He flashed it at the Buccaneers during a 2020 regular-season game. Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. returned the favor during Super Bowl LV. During the offseason, the NFL'due south coaches subcommittee implored the league's competition committee to scissure down on a form of taunting it believed should be banished from the game, leading to the second-most regular-season taunting flags (53) since at least 2001.

Referee John Hussey'south crew didn't throw a flag. It'due south hard to imagine the level of vitriol if it had. But if that isn't considered taunting in 2021, how practise you explain what we saw the rest of the season -- and earlier Sunday?

Weddle penalized for unnecessary roughness

Rams-Buccaneers bounded-round game, 12:38 remaining in the quaternary quarter

What happened: Rams safety Eric Weddle hit Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans in the caput on a fourth-downward incompletion.

How it was resolved: Referee Shawn Hochuli's coiffure penalized Weddle for unnecessary roughness considering of a hit to the head or cervix area of a defenseless receiver. The hit came a moment later the ball hit the ground, making it a dead brawl foul to exist enforced on the change of possession.

Analysis: This was a right enforcement of the NFL's complicated rulebook, one that was explained at length -- but accurately -- by Hochuli after. NFL rules declare a passing play over when the brawl is "caught past a histrion of either squad or is incomplete." In other words, the play was over the moment the ball hitting the ground. Considering Weddle'south hit came after it, the Rams technically had possession of the ball when it happened.

The rulebook declares a dead ball foul equally one that "occurs in the standing action after the down ends." An argument could be made that it's not fair to make such an important distinction on two events that happen then shut to each other. It's non as though Weddle knew the pass was already incomplete. Just ultimately that's the style the rulebook is written.

Could the rule be changed? That's unclear. Perhaps the NFL could add together some additional teeth to player safety rules by deciding that they tin't exist considered dead brawl fouls. But for now, Hochuli made the only ruling he could.

Brady gets offset taunting/unsportsmanlike conduct call of career

Rams-Buccaneers divisional-circular game, 10:39 remaining in the 2nd quarter

What happened: Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was striking by Rams pass-rusher Von Miller, apparently causing his lower lip to bleed.

How it was resolved: Referee Shawn Hochuli did not penalize Miller's hit, but he did throw a flag on Brady for taunting, apparently for lament about the decision not to throw the initial flag.

Assay: Among the criteria for roughing the passer in the NFL rulebook is "forcibly hitting the passer's head or neck area with the helmet or facemask." It's reasonable to conclude that Miller striking Brady'due south "head or neck area" with force if it caused his lip to bleed. And so Brady had a point at that place.

Should he have been penalized for the way he spoke to Hochuli? It'due south hard to ignore the coincidence of what happened. Brady had never been called for taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct in his career, regular season or postseason, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Just last week, in fact, Brady told Jim Gray, the host of his podcast, that "they probably permit me get away with a lot of unsportsmanlike conducts, talking smack to the other teams and talking smack to the refs when I don't think I get the right call. I'm kind of a pain in their donkey if y'all don't already know that."

As nosotros've noted many times, the NFL made taunting a signal of accent this season. But the primary point was to minimize the instances of a role player engendering ill will between teams. The Rams weren't going to be incited past whatsoever Brady said to Hochuli. We don't know what Brady said to Hochuli, but information technology would have been excessively rude and disrespectful to ascension to the level of a 15-yard penalisation in a playoff game.

Update: In a pool report, Hochuli said that Brady "got in my face in an ambitious manner and used abusive language." Ultimately, it's on Hochuli to decide whether the aggression rises to the level of a foul. He also said that he didn't recollect Miller's hitting "rose to the level of roughing the passer."

Was the taunting call on Suh warranted?

Rams-Buccaneers divisional-round game, iv:54 remaining in the starting time quarter

What happened: Buccaneers defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh hit Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, and their bodies got tangled on the ground. Stafford pulled his legs out to stand upwardly, later on which Suh yelled at Stafford and pointed his right alphabetize finger at him.

How it was resolved: Referee Shawn Hochuli penalized Suh for taunting, eliminating an incomplete pass on kickoff downwards and moving the ball from the Buccaneers' 33-yard line to their xviii-yard line. As Hochuli made the annunciation, Suh could be heard saying that Stafford had kicked him.

Analysis: Suh's contention that Stafford kicked him is a generous interpretation of what happened, to say the least. Remember, Suh is the thespian who in 2011 said that he hadn't kicked Packers center Evan Smith during an infamous Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit. He has had a quick fuse for much of his career. With that said, did his deportment constitute "taunting?"

The NFL'due south rulebook defines information technology every bit "acts or words that may engender ill volition between teams." For well-nigh of the NFL's history, a player verbalizing sharp words wouldn't have risen to the level of taunting. But the league put a signal of emphasis on this foul during the 2021 season, at the asking of coaches. In that location were 53 taunting penalties during the regular season, the second most in a season since at least 2001, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

The call, while not unexpected, was a significant turning point in the showtime quarter. Instead of facing second-and-ten at the 33, the Rams got a first down at the eighteen and scored a touchdown 3 plays later to extend their atomic number 82 to 10-0.

Officials rule San Francisco incomplete laissez passer, not bollix

49ers-Packers divisional-round game, 3:06 remaining in the start quarter

What happened: Replay officials reviewed 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk's fumble at the Packers' 43-thousand line.

How it was resolved: Referee Ron Torbert announced that the call had been reversed to an incomplete pass.

Analysis: This was the correct outcome. An NFL catch has three elements. According to the rulebook, they are:

  1. Securing control of the ball in the hands or arms prior to the ball touching the footing.

  2. Touching the ground inbounds with both feet or with any role of the body other than the easily.

  3. After the first two have been fulfilled, performing any act mutual to the game (eastward.one thousand., tuck the ball away, extend information technology forward, take an additional step, turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or maintaining control of the ball long plenty to exercise so.

The replay showed that after Aiyuk gained control of the brawl, he took one footstep and then had the ball knocked out of his hands by Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas. In other words, Aiyuk did non concur the ball long plenty to perform an act mutual to the game.

The easiest way to think of these is to look for iii steps after securing the ball. The first two steps embrace the second element of a catch, and the boosted stride would cover the third element. The NFL has had some strange interpretations of its catch dominion this season, but this ruling was authentic based on its current rules.

Couch interception stands equally chosen vs. Titans

Bengals-Titans divisional-round game, 1:28 remaining in the 3rd quarter

What happened: Replay officials reviewed Titans safety Amani Hooker's interception of Bengals quarterback Joe Couch at the Bengals' 27-yard line.

How information technology was resolved: Referee Clete Blakeman announced that the call on the field would stand, giving the Titans possession at a key moment in the game. They scored the tying touchdown iv plays later.

Assay: Slow-motion replays indicated that the ball probably touched the ground every bit Hooker was making the interception. The primal question was whether Hooker had possession before the ball hit the ground.

If it hit the ground before he gained possession, the call would be incomplete. If he gained possession showtime, the call would be an interception. It can still exist an interception if the ball hits the ground later on that point, as long as it doesn't movement. In this case, it did not.

Blakeman did non offer an explanation for the ruling, other than to say that the original call stood. So in truth, the NFL didn't accept to make up one's mind on the question of possession. Remember, the league has a long-held replay standard. Information technology needs clear and obvious prove of a mistake to overturn the call on the field. Based on multiple replay angles, information technology was a close call. By definition, close calls shouldn't be overturned via replay. In this example, it was not, and that was a very fair upshot.

Update: The NFL tweeted out an explanation that made articulate its replay executives determined that Hooker was "securing the brawl just before it touches the ground" and that he "never loses possession and maintains control of the ball when it does touch the ground."

Based on the tweet, the NFL did in fact brand a call on the play itself, rather than simply lean on its "articulate and obvious" standard. That's a scrap surprising, but information technology got us to the right spot regardless.

Bakery injured on a collision

Cardinals-Rams wild-menu game, 1:51 remaining in third quarter

What happened: Cardinals rubber Budda Bakery suffered a concussion, and peradventure additional injuries, after a standoff with Rams running dorsum Cam Akers.

How information technology was resolved: No flags were thrown as a outcome of the hit, but there was an offensive belongings punishment enforced on Rams offensive lineman David Edwards.

Analysis: At that place was a lot going on with this play. The first thing for referee Clay Martin to decide was whether Baker and/or Akers lowered the helmet to initiate contact with the other, which would be a violation of the NFL's "use of helmet" rule. The replay showed Akers lowering his helmet as Baker arrived with his helmet down also. But neither player overtly used his helmet to initiate contact, and as ESPN rules analyst John Parry said on air: "It looks like they're trying to become the shoulders in and the head out. But exactly what we want." The use of helmet rule has grown so disruptive and difficult to officiate that the NFL instructed referees to terminate referring to it in their penalty announcements, equally we noted during the regular season.

But this case did not announced to exist a violation.

Information technology was surprising, however, that Martin's crew didn't flag Akers for taunting Bakery afterwards the hitting. Every bit Baker lay on the ground, Akers stepped past and used a hand gesture that told Baker to stay down. That reaction prompted several members of the Cardinals to engage angrily with Akers, forcing officials to separate the teams.

NFL officials threw 52 flags for taunting during the regular season, the 2d most in a entrada since at least 2001, as part of a point of emphasis. Suffice it to say, they penalized many gestures and acts of far less upshot than what Akers did. No one would have protested that flag, particularly because the way it engendered ill will between the teams -- exactly what the dominion is intended to avoid.

Akers tweeted after the game that he didn't initially realize Bakery was hurt on the play.

Did Light-green catch it?

Cardinals-Rams wild-bill of fare game, 8:xiii remaining in second quarter

What happened: Cardinals receiver A.J. Dark-green pulled in a pass from quarterback Kyler Murray at the Cardinals' 26-chiliad line and was hit by Rams safe Nick Scott, at which bespeak the ball cruel to the ground.

How information technology was resolved: Referee Clay Martin'southward coiffure originally called a catch and a fumble. Afterwards a challenge from Rams coach Sean McVay, the call was reversed to an incomplete pass.

Assay: It wouldn't be a playoff game without a catch rule dispute, right? For some reason, the NFL struggled to adjudicate the take hold of rule all season. To secure a grab, current NFL rules require a player to proceeds command of the ball in bounds and then make "any act common to the game (eastward.k., tuck the ball abroad, extend information technology forward, take an additional step, plough upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent)." The dominion goes on to say: "It is not necessary that he commit such an deed, provided that he maintains control of the ball long enough to do then."

When you lot watch the replay, Light-green took a hop-step after the ball landed in his hands and and then immediately lost control of the brawl when he was hit. He did not fulfill the 3rd chemical element of a catch, and the NFL's replay role in New York was right to reverse the call.

The decision was clear plenty that it'due south fair to question why the replay official on site did not step in immediately to correct the call, as happened hundreds of times this season nether the league'southward new video assist rule. Martin'due south crew spent an extended amount of fourth dimension discussing the call, suggesting it was in communication with the replay official, but the original telephone call stood until McVay was required to use a challenge.

McVay'due south claiming was not without hazard. Had the call stood, he would take been out of challenges for the residuum of the game. The play was somewhen adjudicated correctly, which is the about important office, just it took more than fourth dimension than it needed to.

Cowboys run out of time

49ers-Cowboys wild-card game, 0:fourteen remaining in quaternary quarter

What happened: The clock ran out every bit the Cowboys attempted to snap the ball from the 49ers' 24-grand line on the final play of the game.

How it was resolved: Referee Alex Kemp declared the game over, even afterward the snap was delayed for umpire Ramon George to conform the spot.

Analysis: Kemp and George did their jobs. With 14 seconds remaining, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had run for 17 yards on a designed draw. Unremarkably in that state of affairs, NFL players are brash to hand the ball directly to the umpire or another official to expedite the spotting of the ball. By rule, at that place can't be a snap until an official has touched the brawl to confirm and/or adjust the spot.

Instead, Prescott handed the ball to center Tyler Biadasz, who put the ball on the ground at near the 24-g line and stood over it as the rest of the Cowboys' crime assembled. George had to push through their line to become to the ball, using valuable seconds. The snap came with one second remaining, rendering Prescott's spike meaningless.

This was entirely the error of the Cowboys, from the risky playcall with no timeouts remaining to Prescott's disability to paw the ball to an official. Kemp and his coiffure did exactly what they would be expected to do.

Delay of game trying to take hold of the Niners off guard

49ers-Cowboys wild-card game, xiii:26 remaining in fourth quarter

What happened: The Cowboys attempted to blitz to the line with their punt team later converting a fake punt into a kickoff down. Then, with 17 seconds left on the game clock, the Cowboys sent their law-breaking onto the field for the first-down play.

How it was resolved: Umpire Ramon George stood near the center, preventing a snap. He moved into position with ii seconds remaining on the play clock, leading to a filibuster of game for the Cowboys.

Analysis: As CBS analyst Tony Romo noted, the Cowboys were likely trying to grab the 49ers off guard for a second consecutive play. Past keeping their punt team on the field and their criminal offence on the sideline, they probably hoped to coerce the 49ers into calling a timeout.

Information technology didn't work, of form. And later on they sent their criminal offence onto the field, the Cowboys activated an NFL rule that requires officials to give the defence force a reasonable chance to substitute. Here's what the rule says: "If a substitution is made by the criminal offense, the offense shall not be permitted to snap the ball until the defense has been permitted to reply with its substitutions."

It was up to referee Alex Kemp to determine how long to give the 49ers to substitute. We could quibble about whether they needed fifteen seconds to substitute, but the blame here goes to the Cowboys, who chosen for a high-risk play that would have netted a modest proceeds -- at all-time.

Darden takes a late striking

Eagles-Buccaneers wild-card game, 12:01 remaining in the 4th quarter

What happened: Buccaneers showtime returner Jaelon Darden brought back a kickoff 18 yards to the 22-thousand line, and Darden took a tardily hit.

How it was resolved: The ball was moved back to the 10-yard line because of a holding call on the Buccaneers' Rob Gronkowski, who was on the field as function of the hands team.

Assay: Officials missed a late and breathy hit on Darden that was illegal for multiple reasons. Replays showed that Darden was tackled by Eagles safety Marcus Epps. Darden had started getting up, with his left knee still on the footing, when the Eagles' KeeSean Johnson lowered his head and hit Darden's helmet. The contact was forcible enough to knock Darden backward and onto his back, where he lay for several moments.

There is definitely an argument for belongings back on some flags at the cease of a blowout, but rules regarding histrion safe should ever be enforced. Darden's striking was illegal because it was late, and also considering it was a textbook violation of the helmet dominion, which prohibits players from lowering their helmet to initiate contact with an opponent.

A deadline roughing-the-passer call for a striking on Brady?

Eagles-Buccaneers wild-bill of fare game, 14:28 remaining in the first quarter

What happened: Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett hitting Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady subsequently he released a laissez passer that fell incomplete.

How it was resolved: Referee Craig Wrolstad penalized Barnett for roughing the passer, moving the ball 15 yards downfield.

Analysis: Wrolstad's regular-season coiffure threw the 2nd-most flags for roughing the passer (12), and since the referee is usually the official that watches for that foul, it was reasonable to expect relevance on Sun. As it turned out, we heard from Wrolstad inside the first infinitesimal of the game -- and non for proficient reason.

Barnett hit Brady below the waist, but higher up the knee. The NFL rulebook states: "A defender cannot initiate a roll or lunge and forcibly hit the passer in the genu area or beneath, even if he is being contacted by another player."

This was a rule the NFL developed in part afterward Brady suffered a torn ACL on a low hit in 2008. Simply not fifty-fifty a charitable viewing of the contact would suggest it applied to this rule. The hit was legal, and if you lot accept any doubt, you can note that Brady himself never appealed to Wrolstad for a flag.

Was this really roughing the passer?

Raiders-Bengals wild-card game, one:51 remaining in the quaternary quarter

What happened: Bengals defensive end Khalid Kareem made contact with Raiders quarterback Derek Carr subsequently Carr released a 15-m pass to running back Josh Jacobs.

How it was resolved: Referee Jerome Boger threw a flag for roughing the passer. The boosted 15 yards gave the Raiders a xxx-yard gain in total, putting the ball at the Bengals' 35-chiliad line equally the Raiders were driving for what could have been the game-tying (or winning) score.

Assay: The NFL has moved in dramatic means over the years to protect quarterbacks, creating rules that prohibit them from being hit forcibly in the head or neck surface area, besides as below the articulatio genus, when they are in the pocket or otherwise in a defenseless posture.

Boger did not specify why the flag was thrown, only at best, information technology appeared Kareem's right shoulder or arm grazed Carr's helmet. It would exist up to Boger at that bespeak to determine whether that contact was "forcible." He is not tasked with taking into account the game situation, but you lot would like to see any call be obvious to the viewer -- whether it is the fourth quarter of a playoff game or the offset quarter in Week 1.

Carr did what he should have washed; he made his case to Boger by snapping his head dorsum and pointing to his helmet. It is always possible that another angle would show more than forcible contact, but from what nosotros could see on the NBC replay, it was not.

Errant whistle on Cincy touchdown

Raiders-Bengals wild-carte du jour game, 1:51 remaining in 2nd quarter

What happened: Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow scrambled toward the right sideline on a tertiary-down play from the Raiders' 10-yard line. With the ball in the air, a whistle could conspicuously be heard on the NBC circulate. Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd caught the pass for a touchdown.

How it was resolved: After a lengthy discussion amidst officials, led by referee Jerome Boger, the play was ruled a touchdown.

Analysis: Unless the whistle came from the crowd or someone other than one of the seven officials on the field, this should non have been a touchdown. There are two options here. Either the whistle was intended to rule Burrow out of bounds, or it was an inadvertent whistle. In either instance, NFL rules require the play to be ended at the time of the whistle.

NFL rule 7, Section ii, Commodity ane(m) states: "[W]hen an official sounds the whistle erroneously while the ball is still in play, the ball becomes dead immediately." In this example, the rule goes on to state: "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."

The touchdown should non have counted, and the play should have been replayed. Information technology is non reviewable. Players ofttimes stop playing when they hear a whistle, and information technology's inherently unfair to permit postal service-whistle action to count.

A like play occurred during a 2015 game between the Patriots and Bills. In that instance, referee Cistron Steratore correctly halted the play, even as Patriots receiver Danny Amendola was running upfield, but erred in placing the brawl at the spot where Amendola was when the whistle blew.

Postgame update: Walt Anderson, the NFL'southward senior vice president of officiating training and development, said in a puddle written report after the Bengals' 26-19 win that Boger's crew decided "the whistle for them on the field was blown after the receiver defenseless the ball."

Suffice it to say, Boger's judgment here does not line upwardly with any of the available bear witness. The whistle was aural on the broadcast well earlier Boyd caught the ball. Just given the structure of the rules, this explanation is the only possible justification for allowing the touchdown.

It should be noted that Anderson didn't say anything to signal he supported (or rejected) the caption. He appears just to take passed forth the on-field judgment on a play that wasn't reviewable.

Still, it strains credulity for this to exist the NFL's official line. Whoever blew the whistle on the field knows when he did it. The players who appeared to stop earlier Boyd defenseless the ball knew when they heard it. Millions of television set viewers knew when they heard it. While it might have been painful, the more credible explanation would accept been something that confirmed -- fifty-fifty in retrospect -- that a rule was misapplied and that the entire sequence didn't run into NFL standards.

Finally, the pool report did non include any discussion nearly why the NFL did not apply its new video assist program to pace in and correct the mistake. Information technology's true that erroneous whistles are not reviewable, but the video assist rule allows replay officials and the league's officiating section in New York Urban center to "propose the game officials on specific, objective aspects of a play when articulate and obvious video evidence is present, and/or to address game administration issues."

To exist clear: Addressing an erroneous whistle is an administrative result. Deciding whether at that place was an erroneous whistle is a nonreviewable judgment telephone call. The NFL had a way out hither -- telling Boger in real fourth dimension that the downward should exist replayed -- and it's a mystery why it did not.

Raiders start drive at 2-thousand line later returner steps out of premises

Raiders-Bengals wild-card game, 1:18 remaining in first quarter

What happened: Raiders outset returner Peyton Barber grabbed the bouncing ball nearly the sideline and stepped out of bounds at the ii-yard line.

How information technology was resolved: Barber was ruled down at the 2, putting the Raiders in terrible field position for their tertiary possession of the game.

Analysis: Barber was trying to capitalize on a little-known NFL rule in an try to get the ball marked at the 40-k line. What he wanted to practice was step out of bounds and so affect the ball. When a brawl touches a player subsequently he has established himself out of bounds, the ball is ruled out of bounds at that betoken. Had Barber stepped out starting time, the Bengals would accept been penalized for a commencement out of bounds, and past rule, referee Jerome Boger would take spotted the ball the 40. Merely because Barber grabbed the ball before that, he was ruled to take run out of bounds with possession of the ball.

Multiple teams have tried to leverage that rule in recent years past deliberately stepping out of bounds then reaching for the brawl, most notably the Greenish Bay Packers' Randall Cobb in 2012.