1st quarter
7:11: 49ers TE Vernon Davis catches a pass and runs along the sideline for a touchdown. The play is reviewed to determine whether Davis stepped out of bounds during the run. Video evidence is inconclusive and the call is (correctly) allowed to stand.
3rd quarter
9:45: Giants DE Osi Umenyiora clearly appears to be lined up in the neutral zone when the ball is snapped. No penalty for offsides is called.
4th quarter
11:06: The 49ers are awarded possession of the ball after a Giants punt. The knee of 49ers WR Kyle Williams appeared to make contact with the ball prior to its being picked up by a Giants player. The Giants challenge the call and are (correctly) awarded possession.
“Am I the only one around here who gives a shit about THE RULES?”
Monday, January 23, 2012
Ravens vs. Patriots
1st quarter
13:33: The helmet of Patriots S Patrick Chung makes contact with the foot of Ravens P Sam Koch immediately following a punt. Chung did not touch the ball, so a penalty for running into the kicker should have been called. No call was made.
2nd quarter
3:07: A possible sideline reception by Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is ruled an incomplete pass. It appeared that Gronkowski may have had possession of the ball before going out of bounds. The Patriots do not challenge the call. The drive results in a Patriots punt.
3rd quarter
3:38: Ravens WR Torrey Smith catches a pass that is ruled a touchdown on the field. The play is reviewed to determine whether Smith stepped out of bounds at the 3-yard-line. Video evidence is inconclusive, and the call is (correctly) allowed to stand.
4th quarter
12:19: Patriots QB Tom Brady runs for an apparent touchdown. Brady’s knee appeared to be down with the ball short of the goal line. The call is (correctly) reversed by video review and the ball is placed inside the 1-yard-line. The drive results in a Patriots touchdown.
13:33: The helmet of Patriots S Patrick Chung makes contact with the foot of Ravens P Sam Koch immediately following a punt. Chung did not touch the ball, so a penalty for running into the kicker should have been called. No call was made.
2nd quarter
3:07: A possible sideline reception by Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is ruled an incomplete pass. It appeared that Gronkowski may have had possession of the ball before going out of bounds. The Patriots do not challenge the call. The drive results in a Patriots punt.
3rd quarter
3:38: Ravens WR Torrey Smith catches a pass that is ruled a touchdown on the field. The play is reviewed to determine whether Smith stepped out of bounds at the 3-yard-line. Video evidence is inconclusive, and the call is (correctly) allowed to stand.
4th quarter
12:19: Patriots QB Tom Brady runs for an apparent touchdown. Brady’s knee appeared to be down with the ball short of the goal line. The call is (correctly) reversed by video review and the ball is placed inside the 1-yard-line. The drive results in a Patriots touchdown.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Giants vs. Packers
1st quarter
8:24: Packers KR Randall Cobb loses the ball following a kick return. The play is ruled a fumble on the field, although Cobb’s knee appeared to be down prior to the ball’s coming out. The call is (correctly) reversed by video review.
7:54: Giants S Kenny Phillips hits Packers TE Jermichael Finley in the helmet with his elbow following an incomplete pass. The hit should have ruled a personal foul, as Finley was a “defenseless receiver” on the play, but no call was made.
1:34: Packers WR Greg Jennings apparently fumbles the ball following a reception. Jennings is ruled down by contact and the call is allowed to stand after video review, although Jennings had clearly lost poessession of the ball prior to his knees touching the ground.
4th quarter
6:18: Giants DE Osi Umenyiora makes helmet-to-helmet contact with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers following a pass attempt and is flagged for a personal foul. In a broadcasting first, Fox analyst Troy Aikman claims that this is a bad call, but by rule and precedent the call was correct (see rule 12.2.13, subsection 3).
8:24: Packers KR Randall Cobb loses the ball following a kick return. The play is ruled a fumble on the field, although Cobb’s knee appeared to be down prior to the ball’s coming out. The call is (correctly) reversed by video review.
7:54: Giants S Kenny Phillips hits Packers TE Jermichael Finley in the helmet with his elbow following an incomplete pass. The hit should have ruled a personal foul, as Finley was a “defenseless receiver” on the play, but no call was made.
1:34: Packers WR Greg Jennings apparently fumbles the ball following a reception. Jennings is ruled down by contact and the call is allowed to stand after video review, although Jennings had clearly lost poessession of the ball prior to his knees touching the ground.
4th quarter
6:18: Giants DE Osi Umenyiora makes helmet-to-helmet contact with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers following a pass attempt and is flagged for a personal foul. In a broadcasting first, Fox analyst Troy Aikman claims that this is a bad call, but by rule and precedent the call was correct (see rule 12.2.13, subsection 3).
Texans vs. Ravens
2nd quarter
10:10: Texans RB Arian Foster appears to stay inbounds during a long run along the sideline. The Ravens challenge the spot of the ball, but the ruling is (correctly) allowed to stand.
0:28: Ravens DB Danny Gorrer bats a punted ball back into the field of play while having one foot on his own goal line. Gorrer is ruled inbounds by the officials, but the play is correctly reversed by video review and ruled a touchback.
4th quarter
10:22: Texans S Danieal Manning appears to hit Ravens TE Ed Dickson slightly before the ball arrives. No penalty for pass interference is called. The play results in an incomplete pass, and the drive ends one play later with a Ravens punt.
1:38: Ravens RB Ray Rice apparently runs for a first down at the Ravens 14-yard-line. The ruling of a first down is reversed by video review and the ball is re-spotted near the 13-yard-line, although video evidence appeared to be inconclusive. The drive results in a Ravens punt.
10:10: Texans RB Arian Foster appears to stay inbounds during a long run along the sideline. The Ravens challenge the spot of the ball, but the ruling is (correctly) allowed to stand.
0:28: Ravens DB Danny Gorrer bats a punted ball back into the field of play while having one foot on his own goal line. Gorrer is ruled inbounds by the officials, but the play is correctly reversed by video review and ruled a touchback.
4th quarter
10:22: Texans S Danieal Manning appears to hit Ravens TE Ed Dickson slightly before the ball arrives. No penalty for pass interference is called. The play results in an incomplete pass, and the drive ends one play later with a Ravens punt.
1:38: Ravens RB Ray Rice apparently runs for a first down at the Ravens 14-yard-line. The ruling of a first down is reversed by video review and the ball is re-spotted near the 13-yard-line, although video evidence appeared to be inconclusive. The drive results in a Ravens punt.
Broncos vs. Patriots
1st quarter
6:42: Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski catches an apparent touchdown in the end zone. Gronkowski bobbles the ball in the process of completing the catch and it appears that the ground ultimately helps him control the ball, which would make the play an incomplete pass. Video evidence is ruled inconclusive, and the touchdown stands.
Note: There may have been other questionable calls in the second half, but frankly I stopped paying attention after the score got to 42-10. Seriously, this game was unwatchable, Lakers-Clippers was on NBA TV, and no one's paying me for this. I'm quite confident that nothing I might have missed affected the outcome of this game.
6:42: Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski catches an apparent touchdown in the end zone. Gronkowski bobbles the ball in the process of completing the catch and it appears that the ground ultimately helps him control the ball, which would make the play an incomplete pass. Video evidence is ruled inconclusive, and the touchdown stands.
Note: There may have been other questionable calls in the second half, but frankly I stopped paying attention after the score got to 42-10. Seriously, this game was unwatchable, Lakers-Clippers was on NBA TV, and no one's paying me for this. I'm quite confident that nothing I might have missed affected the outcome of this game.
Saints vs. 49ers
1st quarter
11:34: 49ers S Donte Whitner penalized for pass interference for contact on Saints TE Jimmy Graham. Contact did not appear to be sufficient to justify a penalty.
2nd quarter
12:22: Saints RB Darren Sproles fumbles the ball. Sproles was clearly down by contact prior to losing possession, and the fumble is (correctly) overturned by video review.
9:41: Saints RB Christopher Ivory appears to lose possession of the ball prior to being down by contact. No fumble is ruled on the field, and the 49ers do not challenge the ruling. It is unclear whether the officials had ruled Ivory's forward progress stoppped and whistled the play dead prior to Ivory's fumbling the ball. The drive results in a Saints touchdown.
11:34: 49ers S Donte Whitner penalized for pass interference for contact on Saints TE Jimmy Graham. Contact did not appear to be sufficient to justify a penalty.
2nd quarter
12:22: Saints RB Darren Sproles fumbles the ball. Sproles was clearly down by contact prior to losing possession, and the fumble is (correctly) overturned by video review.
9:41: Saints RB Christopher Ivory appears to lose possession of the ball prior to being down by contact. No fumble is ruled on the field, and the 49ers do not challenge the ruling. It is unclear whether the officials had ruled Ivory's forward progress stoppped and whistled the play dead prior to Ivory's fumbling the ball. The drive results in a Saints touchdown.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wild Card Weekend Wrap-up
In the interest of full disclosure, I should point out that I went back and added an entry to the Steelers vs. Broncos post on the Tim Tebow face mask non-call late in the fourth quarter. As I indicate in the post, it didn’t seem like a big deal to me at the time, but the play got enough attention that I decided to add it to the list.
Fun fact for week one of the playoffs (unless you’re a Vikings fan): All four losing teams were penalized for 12 men in the huddle at some point in their respective games. One day later, Brad Childress was interviewed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their vacant head coaching position. Coincidence?
Fun fact for week one of the playoffs (unless you’re a Vikings fan): All four losing teams were penalized for 12 men in the huddle at some point in their respective games. One day later, Brad Childress was interviewed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their vacant head coaching position. Coincidence?
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Steelers vs. Broncos
2nd quarter
14:44: Broncos WR Eric Decker apparently catches a pass from Broncos QB Tim Tebow and is ruled down by contact. The call is reversed and the play is ruled an incomplete pass by video review, although the video evidence appeared to be inconclusive.
12:44: Steelers WR Mike Wallace apparently catches a long pass from Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. The play is ruled a completed pass on the field, but is (correctly) reversed by video review. The ball clearly hit the ground prior to being controlled by Wallace.
3rd quarter
8:07: Roethlisberger throws a backward pass to Wallace, who muffs the ball, which is then recovered by the Broncos. The play is incorrectly ruled a forward pass, and the whistle is blown while the ball is loose. The Broncos decline to challenge the play since the Steelers would have retained possession regardless of the challenge’s outcome because of the (incorrect) whistle.
4:52: Steelers RB Isaac Redman scores an apparent touchdown on a running play. The play is ruled a touchdown on the field. Redman was clearly down by contact prior to the ball’s breaking the plane of the goal line. The touchdown is (correctly) reversed by video review and the Steelers recieve the ball inside the one-yard line. The drive results in a Steelers touchdown.
3:45: Pass interference is called on Steelers CB Ike Taylor for contact with Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas. Taylor appeared to be making a play on the ball, in which case no penalty should have been called.
4th quarter
7:35: Broncos RB Willis McGahee fumbles the ball, which is recovered by the Steelers. The ruling of a fumble is challenged by the Broncos and is (correctly) confirmed by video review.
1:54: Steelers OLB LaMarr Woodley briefly makes contact with Tebow’s face mask while engaged with a blocker. The contact appeared to be incidental, although a penalty could have been called.
14:44: Broncos WR Eric Decker apparently catches a pass from Broncos QB Tim Tebow and is ruled down by contact. The call is reversed and the play is ruled an incomplete pass by video review, although the video evidence appeared to be inconclusive.
12:44: Steelers WR Mike Wallace apparently catches a long pass from Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. The play is ruled a completed pass on the field, but is (correctly) reversed by video review. The ball clearly hit the ground prior to being controlled by Wallace.
3rd quarter
8:07: Roethlisberger throws a backward pass to Wallace, who muffs the ball, which is then recovered by the Broncos. The play is incorrectly ruled a forward pass, and the whistle is blown while the ball is loose. The Broncos decline to challenge the play since the Steelers would have retained possession regardless of the challenge’s outcome because of the (incorrect) whistle.
4:52: Steelers RB Isaac Redman scores an apparent touchdown on a running play. The play is ruled a touchdown on the field. Redman was clearly down by contact prior to the ball’s breaking the plane of the goal line. The touchdown is (correctly) reversed by video review and the Steelers recieve the ball inside the one-yard line. The drive results in a Steelers touchdown.
3:45: Pass interference is called on Steelers CB Ike Taylor for contact with Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas. Taylor appeared to be making a play on the ball, in which case no penalty should have been called.
4th quarter
7:35: Broncos RB Willis McGahee fumbles the ball, which is recovered by the Steelers. The ruling of a fumble is challenged by the Broncos and is (correctly) confirmed by video review.
1:54: Steelers OLB LaMarr Woodley briefly makes contact with Tebow’s face mask while engaged with a blocker. The contact appeared to be incidental, although a penalty could have been called.
Falcons vs. Giants
2nd quarter
14:54: Falcons QB Matt Ryan apparently fails to reach the first-down marker on 4th and 1. Following the initial spotting of the football, the ball was moved by one of the officials. This re-spotting of the ball may have been decisive in the Falcons’ failure to convert the 4th down, but the final spot appeared to be correct.
1:34: Giants WR Hakeem Nicks was marked down by contact short of the first-down marker following a reception. Nicks appeared to have made sufficient forward progress for a first down. The spot of the ball appeared close enough to the first-down marker to merit a measurement, but the officials did not initiate one, nor did the Giants request it. The Giants failed to convert on 3rd and 1, and the sequence resulted in a punt.
3rd quarter
10:41: Giants C David Baas penalized for holding. There did not appear to be sufficient contact to justify a flag.
7:55: Giants QB Eli Manning throws an incomplete pass intended for Nicks on 3rd and goal. There was some contact on Nicks by Falcons CB Christopher Ownes. Both the Giants sideline and the TV annnouncers indicated possible pass interference, but this was a good “no-call” in my view. The drive resulted in a field goal.
14:54: Falcons QB Matt Ryan apparently fails to reach the first-down marker on 4th and 1. Following the initial spotting of the football, the ball was moved by one of the officials. This re-spotting of the ball may have been decisive in the Falcons’ failure to convert the 4th down, but the final spot appeared to be correct.
1:34: Giants WR Hakeem Nicks was marked down by contact short of the first-down marker following a reception. Nicks appeared to have made sufficient forward progress for a first down. The spot of the ball appeared close enough to the first-down marker to merit a measurement, but the officials did not initiate one, nor did the Giants request it. The Giants failed to convert on 3rd and 1, and the sequence resulted in a punt.
3rd quarter
10:41: Giants C David Baas penalized for holding. There did not appear to be sufficient contact to justify a flag.
7:55: Giants QB Eli Manning throws an incomplete pass intended for Nicks on 3rd and goal. There was some contact on Nicks by Falcons CB Christopher Ownes. Both the Giants sideline and the TV annnouncers indicated possible pass interference, but this was a good “no-call” in my view. The drive resulted in a field goal.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Lions vs. Saints
2nd quarter
5:33: Saints QB Drew Brees fumbles during a pass attempt. The ball is correctly ruled a fumble on the field, but one of the officials whistles the play dead while the ball is loose. Lions recover and are granted possession, but are not allowed to advance the ball. There were two officiating errors on this play: (1) The play was incorrectly whistled dead, preventing the Lions from advancing the ball after the fumble recovery; and (2) once the play was whistled dead, possession should have been granted to the Saints at the spot of the fumble (although the play should not have been whistled dead).
0:16: Saints WR Marques Colston catches an apparent touchdown. The video replay shows that he does not maintain possession all the way to the ground as required by rule, and the play is (correctly) reversed and ruled an incompletion by video review. On the same play, Lions S Amari Spievey is penalized for a personal foul for a slap to the helmet of Colston. Contact did not appear to be sufficient to warrant a flag (see rule 12, section 2, article 8g).
3rd quarter
9:20: Colston catches a pass and appears to be down by contact clearly short of the first-down marker. The spot of the ball results in a first down. The Lions do not challenge the spot.
1:08: Lions QB Matthew Stafford runs for an apparent touchdown on 3rd and goal. The play is ruled a touchdown on the field and confirmed by video review, although video evidence appeared inconclusive. Stafford’s left knee may have been down prior to the ball's striking the goal-line pylon.
4th quarter
9:53: Saints G Brian de la Puente clearly holds the jersey of Lions DE Corey Williams. No penalty is called, and the play results in a touchdown for Saints RB Darren Sproles.
5:33: Saints QB Drew Brees fumbles during a pass attempt. The ball is correctly ruled a fumble on the field, but one of the officials whistles the play dead while the ball is loose. Lions recover and are granted possession, but are not allowed to advance the ball. There were two officiating errors on this play: (1) The play was incorrectly whistled dead, preventing the Lions from advancing the ball after the fumble recovery; and (2) once the play was whistled dead, possession should have been granted to the Saints at the spot of the fumble (although the play should not have been whistled dead).
0:16: Saints WR Marques Colston catches an apparent touchdown. The video replay shows that he does not maintain possession all the way to the ground as required by rule, and the play is (correctly) reversed and ruled an incompletion by video review. On the same play, Lions S Amari Spievey is penalized for a personal foul for a slap to the helmet of Colston. Contact did not appear to be sufficient to warrant a flag (see rule 12, section 2, article 8g).
3rd quarter
9:20: Colston catches a pass and appears to be down by contact clearly short of the first-down marker. The spot of the ball results in a first down. The Lions do not challenge the spot.
1:08: Lions QB Matthew Stafford runs for an apparent touchdown on 3rd and goal. The play is ruled a touchdown on the field and confirmed by video review, although video evidence appeared inconclusive. Stafford’s left knee may have been down prior to the ball's striking the goal-line pylon.
4th quarter
9:53: Saints G Brian de la Puente clearly holds the jersey of Lions DE Corey Williams. No penalty is called, and the play results in a touchdown for Saints RB Darren Sproles.
Bengals vs. Texans
2nd quarter
10:02: Bengals challenge spot of ball (runner was ruled down short of the first-down line on the field). The call on the field was correct and was confirmed by video review.
9:02: Texans DE Antonio Smith is flagged for a late hit. No foul was visible on the television broadcast, although Smith came in late on the play and may have committed a foul off-camera.
4:33: Bengals challenge catch by Texans TE Owen Daniels. Daniels appeared to be in possession of the ball and down by contact prior to having the ball taken out of his hands. The call on the field was correct and was confirmed by video review.
10:02: Bengals challenge spot of ball (runner was ruled down short of the first-down line on the field). The call on the field was correct and was confirmed by video review.
9:02: Texans DE Antonio Smith is flagged for a late hit. No foul was visible on the television broadcast, although Smith came in late on the play and may have committed a foul off-camera.
4:33: Bengals challenge catch by Texans TE Owen Daniels. Daniels appeared to be in possession of the ball and down by contact prior to having the ball taken out of his hands. The call on the field was correct and was confirmed by video review.
Ground Rules
The National Football League is the most popular sports league in the U.S., with more than 150 million television viewers tuning in over the course of a season. It is also the only major American team sport that does not have full-time officials. Fairly or not, these facts have helped generate significant controversy about the quality of the league's officiating over the years. But how good are the officials, really? It's time to find out. Throughout the 2011-12 playoffs, this blog will keep a record of all controversial and/or “missed” calls during each game. With this information in hand, readers will be able to draw their own conclusions.
Who am I? I'm a graduate student in applied economics at a major university located in the heart of Green Bay Packer country. I am not and have never been affiliated with the NFL or any of its teams and should in no way be considered an expert on football. I'm just a dude with a rule book and a DVR. I'll do my best to have calls from each game posted by the end of the day on which it is played. All references to the rule book are to the 2010 version of the Official Playing Rules of the National Football League. Any reference to rule changes made for the 2011 season will be noted as such. Enjoy, and thanks for reading.
Who am I? I'm a graduate student in applied economics at a major university located in the heart of Green Bay Packer country. I am not and have never been affiliated with the NFL or any of its teams and should in no way be considered an expert on football. I'm just a dude with a rule book and a DVR. I'll do my best to have calls from each game posted by the end of the day on which it is played. All references to the rule book are to the 2010 version of the Official Playing Rules of the National Football League. Any reference to rule changes made for the 2011 season will be noted as such. Enjoy, and thanks for reading.
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