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A controversial ending to a game between the Jets and the Giants is teaching viewers about a little-known rule. The ruling came on the final drive of regulation, helping the Jets set up a game-tying field goal.
Trailing 10-7 in the final moments of the fourth quarter, Zach Wilson completed a pass to Garrett Wilson to get his offense into FG range. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Wilson and Co. raced down the field to spike the ball in hopes of getting one last chance to tie.
They were successful in doing so, stopping the clock with just one second remaining before Gerg Zuerlein made a 35-yard kick.
Or were they…?
The offense rushed to the ball after that long pass, beating officials to the spot. Offensive players then picked the ball up and spotted it themselves before the refereeing crew was in position.
@nfl what an unbelievable ending 😱 #newyorkjets #newyorkgiants #nfl ♬ original sound – NFL
Many, including former NFL players, questioned whether or not the play was legal.
“The center actually spots the ball before the spike, not the official. The spike play shouldn’t have happened. Game should have been over,” said Boomer Esiason while tagging both the NFL and its officiating social media account.
“Did anyone see that lack of ref spot at the end of Jets-Giants?” asked former Wisconsin quarterback Nate Tice, son of retired Vikings head coach Mike Tice.
“The wild thing is they let the Jets spot the ball,” wrote Robert Littal of BSO.
“Is this legal by the Jets? Thought the ref had to place the ball down,” posted another fan.
But as the debate on the play raged on, a number of Jets supporters pulled up the rulebook.
Jets fans cite rulebook in ending to Giants game.
The rule states the official only has to touch the ball to spot it. That’s what happened.
You’d think Boomer would know this considering he played in the NFL for 14 years as a QB.
He probably does know it. But controversy drives clicks, and that’s all WFAN cares about in 2023. https://t.co/uaInaC90jA
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) October 30, 2023
“Rule 3, article 2 of the NFL rulebook states the ball is ready for play when an official places the ball down,” read a correction in the X notes below Boomer Esiason’s post. “The video shows the linesman’s spot of the ball at the 17-yard line, and the center placing it there. The umpire touches the ball as part of placing it at that spot and allows play to continue.”
The Football Zebras officiating page agreed with that ruling.
The mechanics call for the back judge or a player to put the ball down. The umpire will then race in, touch the ball that is lying on the ground, and get clear of the offense so they can snap and clock the ball. The umpire’s actions set the neutral zone and declare the ball ready for play.
The Jets would go on to beat the Giants in overtime on another Zuerlein field goal to move to 4-3 on the season. They can thank a heady referee for sprinting downfield to touch that final spot in regulation.