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One of the biggest plays of the Cleveland Browns' comeback win over the Green Bay Packers was the final operation of completing a pass to get into field goal range and then spiking the ball to stop the clock. Without a timeout and only 12 seconds left, Browns quarterback Joe Flacco completed a pass to David Njoku for eight yards and then spiked the ball with two seconds left to set up Andre Szmyt's 55-yard field goal as time expired.
But was the final play officiated correctly?
Based on review, Njoku was down at roughly the 37-yard line, but the Browns quickly spotted the ball themselvs at the 38-yard line, the official patted the ball quickly to set it and Flacco operated the spike with time to spare.
According to Football Zebras, the play was officiated perfectly:
Inside two minutes, officials can quickly set the ball with a tap as long as the ball is spotted within a yard range of actual line of scrimmage. In this case, the Browns' spot of the ball was acceptable, and tap from the official set the ball, the Browns were fully set and Flacco spiked the ball.
ESPN's Rob Demovsky asked Football Zebras for the clarification.
Credit the Browns for executing the final play. On video, you can see center Ethan Pocic retrieve the ball from Njoku, find the spot from the line official to his right and quickly set the ball. The official then comes in from the side, taps the ball and retreats backwards, allowing the Browns to snap the ball in time.
Njoku went down with about eight seconds left. In only six seconds, the Browns got to the line and spiked the ball.
This was all done perfectly. Any delay or mistake from the operation would have ended the game. Instead, the Browns stunned the Packers with a 55-yard walk-off winner. And it was all done within the rules.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Did officials correctly handle spike before game-winning field goal against Packers?
Continue reading...
But was the final play officiated correctly?
Based on review, Njoku was down at roughly the 37-yard line, but the Browns quickly spotted the ball themselvs at the 38-yard line, the official patted the ball quickly to set it and Flacco operated the spike with time to spare.
According to Football Zebras, the play was officiated perfectly:
Inside two minutes, officials can quickly set the ball with a tap as long as the ball is spotted within a yard range of actual line of scrimmage. In this case, the Browns' spot of the ball was acceptable, and tap from the official set the ball, the Browns were fully set and Flacco spiked the ball.
ESPN's Rob Demovsky asked Football Zebras for the clarification.
Credit the Browns for executing the final play. On video, you can see center Ethan Pocic retrieve the ball from Njoku, find the spot from the line official to his right and quickly set the ball. The official then comes in from the side, taps the ball and retreats backwards, allowing the Browns to snap the ball in time.
Njoku went down with about eight seconds left. In only six seconds, the Browns got to the line and spiked the ball.
This was all done perfectly. Any delay or mistake from the operation would have ended the game. Instead, the Browns stunned the Packers with a 55-yard walk-off winner. And it was all done within the rules.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Did officials correctly handle spike before game-winning field goal against Packers?
Continue reading...
