NFL neglected to properly review controversial TDs by Harvin, Watkins

[Spider-Dan]

Looks like there are some questions as to how the Sammy Watkins and Percy Harvin "touchdowns" passed review:

All scoring plays in the NFL are subject to review. So what the heck happened Sunday?

Despite the league's (thus far) more effective reviewing process, which now includes a war room in New York to help in-game referees make calls, a pair of controversial touchdowns were hung on the board without a meaningful second look on Sunday.

The first occurred on rookie Sammy Watkins' first career touchdown in Buffalo. Watkins caught a pass from EJ Manuel while streaking across the middle, then turned the corner and reached the football out for the pylon.

But did he actually get the ball there? Watkins appeared to bobble the football around the two, then lost it entirely just as he was awarded the touchdown.



If the ball reached either the front tip of the goal line or the pylon while still in Watkins' hands, the touchdown call was correct. However, if he fumbled it early, with the ball then hitting the pylon and rolling out of bounds, it should have been ruled a touchback and Miami's possession.

The CBS broadcast showed several replays and it was extremely close. There may not have been enough evidence in the long run to overturn the call on the field, but there certainly was plenty to warrant an extended review.

Percy Harvin's touchdown at San Diego later Sunday was a far more clear-cut case. Harvin put Seattle in front 7-3 on a 51-yard rushing touchdown. Only ...



... he stepped out of bounds. The Watkins play may have been a borderline decision. This one was rather obvious.

Worse yet (as you can see in that photo above), there was an official no more than seven yards away from Harvin, staring right at him when he crossed the boundary. That official did not rule Harvin out of bounds, the automatic review of a scoring play apparently found nothing out of the ordinary and no replay was initiated.

Coaches are not supposed to have to challenge scoring plays because of the built-in automatic review option. (You might recall that Jim Schwartz negated a possible replay by challenging a Houston touchdown on Thanksgiving back in 2012; that rule has since been changed to allow for reviews of scoring plays regardless of what the coach does.)

The NFL issued a statement after the game, saying Harvin's score was "incorrectly confirmed."

''Had the game been stopped for a replay review," the statement read, "the touchdown would have been reversed because Harvin stepped out of bounds at the San Diego 21-yard line."

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I called this in the game thread.  This play should have been a fumble and touchback.

Of course, since MIA got blown out and SEA lost anyway, this will all be swept under the rug.

[Rich]

We were down 16-10 at that point, correct?

[Phishfan]

Taking that touchdown off the board and adding a turnover could have been the momentum swing Miami needed. I thought Philbin should have called a timeout to force a real review.

[MikeO]

I thought Philbin should have called a timeout to force a real review.

It got a real review. ..all scoring plays are reviewed and the game doesn't start back up till the score is confirmed.  Philbin calling a timeout doesn't mean they review it twice!

[Dave Gray]

I was disappointed by that call.  It seems pretty clear that he begins the fumble at the 1 and the ball was out of the endzone.  Touchback.  Huge call.

[Phishfan]

It got a real review. ..all scoring plays are reviewed and the game doesn't start back up till the score is confirmed.  Philbin calling a timeout doesn't mean they review it twice!

It got a glance review and you know it. That play should have taken longer to look at and you know it. If you have never seen this tactic before, watch more football. I've seen it happen. During the timeout I guarantee that play would have gotten more scrutiny.

[MikeO]

It got a glance review and you know it. That play should have taken longer to look at and you know it. If you have never seen this tactic before, watch more football. I've seen it happen. During the timeout I guarantee that play would have gotten more scrutiny.

The reviews are instant and come from the NYC headquarters this year.  You are making a mountain out of a molehill. All scoring plays are reviewed before the extra pt takes place

[Phishfan]

You are giving too much credit. Even if it wasn't going to get overturned how can you justify the review process of scores when seeing the photo of Harvin? The NFL got it wrong because they are just glancing at the reviews. You are brushing aside an issue that affects the game.

[MikeO]

You are giving too much credit. Even if it wasn't going to get overturned how can you justify the review process of scores when seeing the photo of Harvin? The NFL got it wrong because they are just glancing at the reviews. You are brushing aside an issue that affects the game.

Mistakes will always happen even with replay, always have and always will. The NFL must do better but the process is correct and saying Philbin should have called a timeout like that would have mattered is just incorrect.

[Rich]

Yes, the play got a review. But it did not get an appropriate review. Fact is, Watkins started losing the ball on the 2 and never regained possession. He pushed the loose ball into the pile on.

[Phishfan]

Then explain how it has happened in the past? I told you I've seen the strategy used.

[Spider-Dan]

I agree with MikeO: they don't decide to re-review plays if you call a timeout.  That's not how the system works.

I would certainly like to hear of any instance in which a play that is automatically reviewed by rule was somehow reviewed more because a timeout was called.  The only way you could even know this is if they "froze the kicker" on the extra point.

[Phishfan]

You guys can agree if you want but a timeout (maybe I should add that pressure from the coach is also necessary) can cause a review of a TD. I've seen it happen and both of you should have as well since it was a Miami game that I know of immediately where this happened (although the review did not work in Miami's favor).

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-10-24/miami-dolphins-team-report-tony-sparano-safe-for-another-week

Although this is not a scoring play Mike Holmgren has also used timeouts to get the booth to review plays (this was the final two minutes when replay are only from the booth so in essence it falls under the automatically reviewed heading if you ask me).

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2239970

[MikeO]

Then explain how it has happened in the past? I told you I've seen the strategy used.

You have NOT seen the strategy used on scoring plays because there is no strategy.  The scoring play is reviewed and it's decided.  Can't call time out and hope the review it twice. That has never ever happened in the NFL on a scoring play

[MikeO]

Although this is not a scoring play Mike Holmgren

That is the difference!!!! Scoring play reviews are held to different standards than regular plays!