BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 3: Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots speaks with referee Danny Short #113 during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots were resolved for the second week in a row by an umpire stepping forward, this time against the Miami Dolphins.
For the Patriots to keep their slim postseason hopes alive, they need to defeat the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. The officials didn’t help that pursuit Sunday, as what should have been called a Dolphins fumble was ruled out instead, per tackle. advance rules.
However, it was very clear that Miami running back Raheem Mostert was still moving his legs forward. A New England defender made contact with the ball and a shout ensued, as the Patriots recovered.
This…wasn’t even close. What makes matters worse is that it’s the second week in a row that the Patriots have had such a call against them.
Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, New England’s fumble should have been canceled out due to the forward running.
These are all judgment calls, and forward progress cannot be reviewed. This leads to questionable decisions as we’ve seen the past two weeks at Patriots games.
What is the progress forward?
for every NFL RulebookA forward advance is “the point on the field where the forward momentum of a player in possession of the football is stopped by a defender or out of bounds. The player is awarded the greatest point of advance for the runner when the ball is declared dead even if he has been pushed backwards.”
Why can’t forward progress be reviewed?
Forward progress cannot be reviewed through the replay booth. As the officials explained, “Because a forward advance is called at the umpire’s discretion, and because the play is automatically ruled when a forward advance occurs, the play is not reviewable.”
The Patriots screwed for the second week in a row
If New England fails to defeat Miami on Sunday, the Dolphins will clinch a berth to the postseason. With everything on the line, the Pats couldn’t take a call when they needed it most.
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