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Another week, another catch rule controversy.
In Sunday’s Patriots-Bills game, Buffalo receiver Kelvin Benjamin appeared to haul in a toe-tapping touchdown that would have given the Bills a lead in the second quarter.
Benjamin caught the pass over Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore near the back pylon in the right side of the end zone. It appeared as if Benjamin got both feed inbounds and maintained possession.
The play was ruled a touchdown, but after a replay review, it was overturned. After the game, referee Craig Wrolstad gave his defense of the decision.
"When the receiver got confirmed control of the football, he was not able to get both feet down in bounds," Wrolstad said. "So, his back foot was already off the ground and it stepped out of bounds. His firm control did not occur until after he had one foot off the ground."
The Patriots went on to a 37-16 win after outscoring the Bills 24-3 in the second half.
Former NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira, currently an analyst for FOX Sports, addressed the issue with candor on his official Twitter account. In doing so, he seemed to take a shot at current vice president of officiating Al Riveron.
That tweet followed a previous one in which he first analyzed the overturned play.
Riveron explained his rationale for the move on Twitter.
The controversy comes just one week after the Steelers had a touchdown catch overturned in their 27-24 loss against the Patriots Week 15. On that play, tight end Jesse James appeared to have hauled in what likely would have been a game-winning score, but it was overturned after a review. Riveron said in a conference call that James did not “survive the ground” and complete the catch process.
Dean Blandino, the man who most recently held Riveron’s position and currently an analyst for FOX Sports, also chimed in on Twitter to say “In New England, the issue is whether Benjamin had control with left foot down. Did not see anything clear & obvious to the contrary.”
Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.
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