NE vs Colts safety

[soundedlikeastrike]

Why was the punters feeble attempt at a throw not ruled an incomplete pass?

Even if a lateral or straight fumble, why a safety when NE knocked it through the end zone?

[APG]

Because by rule, the offense in this play is responsible for the impetus of the ball even with the defense batting the ball.

Rule 3, Section 16

IMPETUS
Article 3 Impetus is the action of a player that gives momentum to the ball and sends it in touch.

The Impetus is attributed to the offense except when the ball is sent in touch through a new momentum when the defense muffs a ball which is at rest, or nearly at rest, or illegally bats:

(a) a kick or fumble;
(b) a backward pass after it has struck the ground;
(c) or illegally kicks any ball (12-4-3).

[scrounge]

I think it was as simple as he never got the throw off, he raised up his hand to try to throw but the defender knocked it out of his hands before he could start the motion. Fumble out the back of the end zone - safety.

[MD Longhorn]

Because it wasn't a pass. Had this gone forward and out of the pile, it still would have been a fumble.

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by APG

Because by rule, the offense in this play is responsible for the impetus of the ball even with the defense batting the ball.

Rule 3, Section 16

IMPETUS
Article 3 Impetus is the action of a player that gives momentum to the ball and sends it in touch.

The Impetus is attributed to the offense except when the ball is sent in touch through a new momentum when the defense muffs a ball which is at rest, or nearly at rest, or illegally bats:

(a) a kick or fumble;
(b) a backward pass after it has struck the ground;
(c) or illegally kicks any ball (12-4-3).

I am trying to understand the rule in lay person's terms.

Let's say that long snap had gone over the punter's head...and came to rest (or near rest) inside the 5-yard line. A defensive player dives for the ball...and knocks it out of the end zone. That would be a touchback? New England ball on the 20, 1st and 10?

Or....same situation. The ball is bouncing at the 10-yard line, heading toward the end zone (it is neither at rest or nearly at rest), when the defense tries to pick it up, but muffs it and the ball goes through the end zone. Is that a safety or a touchback?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BayStateRef

I am trying to understand the rule in lay person's terms.

Let's say that long snap had gone over the punter's head...and came to rest (or near rest) inside the 5-yard line. A defensive player dives for the ball...and knocks it out of the end zone. That would be a touchback? New England ball on the 20, 1st and 10?

Or....same situation. The ball is bouncing at the 10-yard line, heading toward the end zone (it is neither at rest or nearly at rest), when the defense tries to pick it up, but muffs it and the ball goes through the end zone. Is that a safety or a touchback?

In layperson's terms, if the ball ends up in your OWN endzone, it's either a safety or a touchback (generally a safety if it's your fault it ended in the EZ, a TB if it's the other team's) - very generally.

And to answer your specific question, yes - if Indi had provided the force that put the ball out of the EZ, NE would have the ball at the 20.

{Edited because I got the teams backward!}

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

And to answer your specific question, yes - if Indi had provided the force that put the ball out of the EZ, NE would have the ball at the 20.

Thanks.

What about the second scenario (ball is not at rest when the defense muffs it and it goes through the end zone?)

[APG]

Originally Posted by BayStateRef

Thanks.

What about the second scenario (ball is not at rest when the defense muffs it and it goes through the end zone?)

Your first situation would be a touchback...

Your second scenario, and the one you're asking about here would be a safety.