The New York Jets lost a touchdown on Thursday night after referees reviewed a play in the end zone and determined receiver Clyde Gates did not have possession of the ball long enough for a catch.
The Jets were down 10-0 and drove into the red zone against the New England Patriots on their third possession of the game. They had a 3rd and 7 at the nine, and rookie quarterback Geno Smith was looking around for a receiver and found Gates in the end zone. He threw low and Gates dropped down to make the catch. The call on the field was touchdown, but the referees reviewed the scoring play. They later decided that Gates did not have possession of the ball and overturned the call.
Gates had possession for a split second before the ball popped out (seen below) and hit the ground as both players rolled on top of it:
The Jets settled for a 37-yard field goal (they had a 10-yard penalty that pushed them back), putting them down 10-3. The decision to overturn the touchdown appeared to be the correct call.
