Rules Question on Jackson's Last Pick

[markfromj]

Let's just say the ball was in (above) the end zone when his knee or whatever touched down in the field. Is that a touchback, or, is the plane of the goal line not the same concept for a defender as it is for the offense breaking the plane?

 

[luvmyhawks]

Good question. I was wondering the same thing when that play happened. Was surprised when the ball was brought out to the 20.

 

[athrilla20]

I believe if his momentum is taking him backwards towards the opponents goalline, the ball goes to where he gained possession, which would be where his 'forward progress' was. So if you catch the ball at the 2, your momentum takes you to the end zone where you fall down, you would get the ball the two.

 

[StallmanCurse]

Good question. I was wondering the same thing when that play happened. Was surprised when the ball was brought out to the 20.

It wasn't. It was initially ruled a touchback. They came back from commercial and the ball was on the 1.

 

[DBQ Hawk]

I assume the ball would be placed at the spot where he became down, and if the ball is over the goal line when that occurs, then he should be ruled in the end zone and it's a touchback. If that is the rule, then I think the ball should have been marked at the 20.

On the other hand, the entire ball has to be over the goal line for it to be a safety in your own end zone, so does that concept come into play? I mean, would the whole ball have to be over or behind the goal line for it to be a touchback?

I'm still mystified as to why it was spotted at the 1, since it looks like he didn't catch it at the 1, and he wasn't down at the 1.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

I've always felt that the defense should be given the benefit of the doubt in this situation, and if a guy's momentum carries him into the end zone it should be a touchback. The defense just made a play that stopped a scoring drive, and I think they should be rewarded rather than having the ball spotted around their own 1, putting the opponent in a great position to score a safety or at least get the ball back in great field position. If the interceptor goes down before the end zone, that's one thing, and the ball should be spotted there, of course, but if his momentum carries him into the end zone, I think it should be a touchback to give the defense credit for making the play and give their offense a fighting chance to mount a drive.

 

[iowaathletes]

The ball belongs to the defensive team at the spot where the player's foot or other body part touched the ground to establish possession.

 

[luvmyhawks]

It wasn't. It was initially ruled a touchback. They came back from commercial and the ball was on the 1.

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Lol. I started drinking early last Saturday.

 

[BubsFinn]

The ball is placed where it is when anything other than his foot or his hand makes contact with the ground. If the placement puts any part of the ball in the endzone, it's a touchback.

 

[nitewing]

his knee hit at the one and the play was reviewed and he was ruled in bounds. so the replay official over ruled the refs on the field again against the Hawks.

 

[StallmanCurse]

Lol. I started drinking early last Saturday.

Don't worry, me too! I mostly know b/c I re-watched the game 4 times.