The TD that was, then wasn't, but should've been, and still might be ???

[Philly Fin Fan]

Did anyone else catch the end of the Steelers- Chargers game?
The Chargers were losing 11-10, and had about 5 seconds left in the game. Rivers passes it Tomlinson, who then lateralled it to Chambers to try and keep the play alive. Troy Polamalu breaks up the lateral, causing a fumble, which he recoverd and returned for a TD.
Game over, Pittsburgh wins 18-10, right? (they would've been made to have kicked the extra point)
Wrong! The replay official challenges the lateral from Tomlinson, saying it was a forward pass, so the play is reversed. San Diego gets penalized and the game is over. Right?

After the game, referee Scott Green said the officials realized afterward the touchdown should have counted, though it wouldn't have affected the result.

(from this article- http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29685&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2008&week=REG11)

So now ESPN is reporting that the NFL is going to review it tomorrow and decide what to do, and may give the points back to Pittsburgh.

So why does it matter? 'll tell you why- Because some of the tiebreakers breaking a tie between two teams within a division deal with points (http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures )

[Dave Gray]

I don't think it's about tiebreakers, as much as it's about gambling.


The spread was 5.

---

Can you decline that penalty?  I thought it was one of those penalties that you couldn't decline.  Otherwise, what's the difference between a 2nd forward pass and a fumble?

I don't see how they can overturn the call tomorrow.  It would be bad, in my opinion.  Also, they'd have to get the teams back out there to try the extra point.  Bad calls happen.  If it was the bad call, they should admit that it was the wrong call, but keep it official.

[fyo]

I don't think it's about tiebreakers, as much as it's about gambling.


The spread was 5.

Doesn't matter. All regulated establishments use the result as given at the end of the game, regardless of what happens afterward. In other sports, for example, it isn't THAT uncommon for a team to lose a game afterwards due to the use of an ineligible player. Maybe cycling is actually the best comparison: Doping regularly causes them to change the result of stages and even the overall victory. Sometimes months afterwards.

A bet is settled immediately after the event. Anything else would be completely unmanageable.

EDIT: The blown call resulted in a $64 million swing in favor of the bookies: http://pregame.com/forums/blogs/rj-bell/archive/2008/11/16/bookies-win-millions-bettors-lose-on-bad-steelers-call.aspx

[fyo]

Can you decline that penalty?  I thought it was one of those penalties that you couldn't decline.  Otherwise, what's the difference between a 2nd forward pass and a fumble?

On the play, Rivers threw the ball to Tomlinson, who tossed it to Chambers, who then attempted to pitch it back to some other player. The last pass was the one that fell on to the ground and since it was a legal backwards pass, it was a fumble.

The illegal forward pass was Tomlinson short toss to Chambers (kinda looked like he was trying to hand it to him, but couldn't quite reach). This pass was COMPLETE and therefore doesn't kill the play.

From the official NFL rulebook:

Rule 8 Forward Pass, Backward Pass, Fumble
Section 1 Forward Pass
Article 1
The offensive team may make one forward pass from behind the line during
each play from scrimmage provided the ball does not cross the line and return behind
line prior to the pass.
(a) Any other forward pass by either team is illegal and is a foul by the passing team.
(b) When any illegal pass is caught or intercepted, the ball may be advanced and the
penalty declined.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I don't think it's about tiebreakers, as much as it's about gambling.

Nah, I just think it is about being anal.  At the end of SB43.  The clock winded down to 0:00.  Players and coaches from both teams rushed the field.  The officials realize there should have been 2 seconds still on the clock.  Add 2 seconds on the clock.  Clear everyone form the field so the Giants can take a knee.  There was absolutely no chance that play would have effected the out come of the game, the point spread, or anyones FF league. 

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I also think it had to do with a historical fact...... no game in NFL history has ever ended in an 11-10 score. 

[Frimp]

If they are going to give them the points, they should also nake them retake the field to kick the extra point. Remember that Phins/Pats game in 2001 where 30 minutes after the game was over, they made them come back out for one more play?

[Dave Gray]

On the play, Rivers threw the ball to Tomlinson, who tossed it to Chambers, who then attempted to pitch it back to some other player. The last pass was the one that fell on to the ground and since it was a legal backwards pass, it was a fumble.

The illegal forward pass was Tomlinson short toss to Chambers (kinda looked like he was trying to hand it to him, but couldn't quite reach). This pass was COMPLETE and therefore doesn't kill the play.

From the official NFL rulebook:

Rule 8 Forward Pass, Backward Pass, Fumble
Section 1 Forward Pass
Article 1
The offensive team may make one forward pass from behind the line during
each play from scrimmage provided the ball does not cross the line and return behind
line prior to the pass.
(a) Any other forward pass by either team is illegal and is a foul by the passing team.
(b) When any illegal pass is caught or intercepted, the ball may be advanced and the
penalty declined.

Thanks.  That pretty much clears that up.

[MaineDolFan]

Remember that Phins/Pats game in 2001 where 30 minutes after the game was over, they made them come back out for one more play?

Yep.  Maine was there...and not all that happy about it!

[Dave Gray]

This also greatly affects fantasy scoring, giving another 6 points (depending on scoring) to Pittsburgh's D, additional negative points for San Diego's defensive scoring, and negative point (fumble) for Chris Chambers.

All of those are potential starters and could swing a lot of games.

You might not think it's a big deal, but unlike gambling, the NFL endorses and sponsors fantasy sports.

It's a tough situation.

[Defense54]

64 Million.  You gotta wonder..............

[DolFan619]

  This issue probably would've been blown up a lot further if Hochuli and his crew were working that game.

[landlocked]

Anyone else catch the end of this game?San Diego was trying to lateral the ball with time running out and Steelers safety Troy Polamalu tipped,then picked up the fumbled football and scored,but the refs said it didn't count.Now all of the bookies/gamblers in Vegas are going nuts because it ruined the points spread.WAH!

[Frimp]

Boo friggin hoo! 

[dolphins4life]

Yep.  Maine was there...and not all that happy about it!

That was 2000, actually

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH5eXY-kdik



edited to fix link