Does anyone know what a touchdown is in the NFL anymore?
The Buffalo Bills lost out on what looked like a pretty clear score — and was called that way on the field — after replay review determined that wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin did not possess the ball long enough for it to be called a touchdown. This was despite the fact that he had a foot down, scraped his toe, and appeared to have full control of the football.
Kelvin Benjamin doesn't get credit for the TD catch. Had his foot and toe scrape but not given possession during that brief time. pic.twitter.com/7QyCvPOE1a
— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) December 24, 2017
The NFL claimed that the call was overturned because Benjamin only got one foot down while controlling the football.
In #BUFvsNE, when Kelvin Benjamin gains control, his left foot is off the ground. The receiver only has one foot down in bounds with control. Therefore, it is an incomplete pass. -AL
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) December 24, 2017
Not even FOX NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira could make sense of the overturn.
Not in the studio but on the scoreboard here in Jerry's world, don't see how the Buffalo TD was overturned. Not clear and obvious the toe didn't drag. There is a line behind the toe when he drags it. Am I missing something?
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) December 24, 2017
For the conspiracy theorists out there, this isn’t the first time the Patriots have benefited from a questionable replay decision this season.
