Another week, and we have another touchdown catch controversy.
During today’s Blls-Patriots game, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin had his touchdown catch overturned by replay review team in New York who determined that Benjamin did not possess the ball long enough for it to be called a touchdown. This was despite the fact that Benjamin clearly 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 Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) December 24, 2017
Here’s the NFL’s explanation.
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 Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira thought the call was terrible.
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?
regarding the Buffalo no touchdown, nothing more irritating to an official than to make a great call and then someone in a suit in an office in New York incorrectly reverses it. It is more and more obvious that there isn’t a standard for staying with the call on the field.
The Internet thought it was a bunch of bullshit.
You have to be kidding me with the Patriots and these replays. Complete joke. Nothing conclusive clearly on Benjamin. I mean NOTHING.
— Michael Salfino (@MichaelSalfino) December 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/945016111388610562
Al Riveron, Patriots MVP. This is unbelievable!!!! Or very believable!! How can anyone prove that Benjamin's back foot wasn't grazing a blade of grass?
— Joe Starkey (@JoeStarkey1) December 24, 2017
Just saw the Kelvin Benjamin TD catch that was overturned in New England.
I want to punch the #NFL in the face.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 24, 2017
I have requested a postgame pool report from the officiating crew to explain why #Bills WR Kelvin Benjamin was ruled not to have caught a TD pass that everyone else saw was a TD catch.
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) December 24, 2017
The NFL is lost. That Kelvin Benjamin touchdown bring overturned is absolutely ludicrous. Bills mafia needs to burn that stadium to the ground.
— Ross Bolen (@WRBolen) December 24, 2017