Mike Pereira rips NFL for overturning Bills WR Kelvin Benjamin's TD catch

Kelvin Benjamin of the Buffalo Bills tries to catch a pass as he is defended by Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots during the quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The touchdown was reversed after an official review.(Photo: Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)

Another week, another catch rule controversy.

In Sunday’s Patriots-Bills game, Buffalo receiver Kelvin Benjamin appeared to haul in a toe-tapping touchdown that would have given the Bills a lead in the second quarter.

Benjamin caught the pass over Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore near the back pylon in the right side of the end zone. It appeared as if Benjamin got both feed inbounds and maintained possession.

The play was ruled a touchdown, but after a replay review, it was overturned with no explanation given.

Former NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira, currently an analyst for FOX Sports, addressed the issue with candor on his official Twitter account. In doing so, he seemed to take a shot at current vice president of officiating Al Riveron, who was responsible for the decision to overturn.

regarding the Buffalo no touchdown, nothing more irritating to an official than to make a great call and then someone in a suit in an office in New York incorrectly reverses it. It is more and more obvious that there isn't a standard for staying with the call on the field.

— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) December 24, 2017

That tweet followed a previous one in which he first analyzed the overturned play.

Not in the studio but on the scoreboard here in Jerry's world, don't see how the Buffalo TD was overturned. Not clear and obvious the toe didn't drag. There is a line behind the toe when he drags it. Am I missing something?

— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) December 24, 2017

Earlier on Twitter, Riveron explained his rationale for the move.

In #BUFvsNE, when Kelvin Benjamin gains control, his left foot is off the ground. The receiver only has one foot down in bounds with control. Therefore, it is an incomplete pass. -AL

— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) December 24, 2017

The controversy comes just one week after the Steelers had a touchdown catch overturned in their 27-24 loss against the Patriots Week 15. On that play, tight end Jesse James appeared to have hauled in what likely would have been a game-winning score, but it was overturned after a review. Riveron said in a conference call that James did not “survive the ground” and complete the catch process.

Dean Blandino, the man who most recently held Riveron’s position and currently an analyst for FOX Sports, also chimed in on Twitter to say “In New England, the issue is whether Benjamin had control with left foot down. Did not see anything clear & obvious to the contrary.”

In New England, the issue is whether Benjamin had control with left foot down. Did not see anything clear & obvious to the contrary.

Video coming soon...

— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) December 24, 2017

Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.

PHOTOS: Best of NFL Week 16

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last SlideNext Slide

 

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Read Again https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bills/2017/12/24/nfl-overturned-catch-touchdown-bills-kelvin-benjamin-review/980087001/

Bagikan Berita Ini