Pittsburg/Miami Fumble

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Cobra

This play was no different than any other challenge on a fumble in the NFL when the initial call was no fumble. It has to be clear which team recovers the ball in order to give them the ball. Normally it is clear, this time it was not.

You just contradicted yourself. It is different because of exactly what you posted. It was not clear which team recovered the ball.

Because the play was initially ruled a TD, the officials didn't dig to see who recovered the ball. I saw it and realized that even before the reply. I knew that even if it was ruled a fumble, Pittsbirgh was going to get th ball back.

And that's waht was different compared to 99% of the fumble reviews in the NFL.

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

You just contradicted yourself. It is different because of exactly what you posted. It was not clear which team recovered the ball.

Because the play was initially ruled a TD, the officials didn't dig to see whpo recovered the ball. I saw it and realized that even before the reply. I knew that even if it was ruled a fumble, Pittsbirgh was going to get th ball back.

And that's waht was different compared to 99% of the fumble reviews in the NFL.

No, you don't get it. Every type of review where the ball is ruled dead but was possible a fumble is the same. When the referee looks at the video it must be clear who recovered the ball. In this play the ball was under a pile of players.

NFL Rulebook

The Replay System will cover the following play situations only

2. Runner ruled down by defensive contact when the recovery of a fumble by
an opponent or a teammate occurs during the continuing action of the play.
Note 1: If the ruling of down by contact is changed, the ball belongs to the recovering
player at the spot of the recovery of the fumble, and any advance is nullified.
Note 2: Continuing action is any action that occurs through the recovery of the fumble.
Note 3: If the Referee does not have indisputable visual evidence as to which player
recovered the fumble, the ruling of down by contact will stand.
Note 4: This does not apply to quarterback pass/fumbles, complete/incomplete
passes, or the ruling of forward progress.