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At the risk of asking a horribly stupid question, while watching the Falcons/Seahawks game, a particular replay review had me slightly confused and I would appreciate any assistance.
Scenario:
Atlanta's ball, less than 2:00 remaining in first half. Attempted forward pass in the field of play ruled incomplete; whistle blown, play dead. Seattle defender appeared to have intercepted the pass and, believing he did, gets up and proceeds to sprint towards the end zone as he was not touched; eventually realizes the play is over. Booth proceeds to initiate review, referee rules after review that Seattle defender did not have possession as the ball hit the ground. Play stands.
I'm confused as I was not aware such a play was reviewable. Assuming it is, and the Seattle defender was ruled to have intercepted the pass upon review, then where would Seattle have been awarded the ball? He was not down by contact, so had the whistle not blown he potentially would've run into the end zone for a touchdown. Would Seattle have been given possession at the point where the defender intercepted the pass, even though he was not down by contact? That hardly seems fair, robbing a team of field position or even a score because of an official blowing the whistle too soon.
Further, I was not aware an interception could be awarded on a reviewed forward pass in the first place. If an incomplete forward pass is indeed reviewable, is it not the only option then to rule it a complete forward pass? If the whistle is blown and play is dead on an incomplete pass, how then can that incomplete pass be turned into an interception via an instant replay review? I would think it would follow the same principle as the "down by contact" rule, i.e. if a team recovers an opponent's fumble but the runner is ruled down by contact, there is no review and thus no fumble recovery can be awarded as the whistle was blown and play is dead.
I hope I explained this clearly enough. Pardon my ignorance if I am completely off in my thinking.
Thanks.
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