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.
“Am I the only one around here who gives a shit about THE RULES?”
Sunday, January 8, 2012
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)