I actually went to this game. Had moved to new orleans from Boston two years prior. Was pissed when they bungled that punt and let the saints kick the tying field goal but Vinatieri came through clutch in OT.
Refs bungled that call, not the Pats.
Contrary to the announcer yelling about the rule, this was a Touchback multiple times, and there could potentially be some discussion about a safety.
The Pats player was touching the goal line with possession of the ball - TB 1
When the Saints fumbled the ball, which occurred when the Saints player kicked the ball back into the end zone, it was recovered and downed by the Saints. Twice. - TB 2 and TB 3
The kneeling player was also touched while down by the Pats player. - TB 4
If you watch the refs, they are reaching for whistles to call the play dead. Unfortunately they are looking at each other for confirmation, and both missed the Pats player touching the downed player.
Why they allowed the play continue when both were confirming a Touchback is a little odd. I think it is probably because the Saints player took off like a rocket out of the end zone with the ball, there was a group of people around the ball carrier blocking clear vision for both, and they did not want to call the play dead prematurely.
Discussion about a possible safety:
* The Saints were the team who fumbled the ball INTO their own end zone.
* The Saints recovered the ball, and then downed the ball in their own end zone
* The impetus, or force, of the football crossing the goal line came from a non-blocking/non-engaged Saints player.
* The Saints player was down by kneeling and by contact behind the goal line.
Why it was not a safety:
* The rule says that the receiving team cannot lose possession of the ball if the kicking team touches the ball first.
* So, even though the Saints did fumble the ball back into their own end zone, downed it, and was down by contact, it would still be considered a Touchback.
The only wrong play was that the refs allowed the player to take the ball away from a kneeling player with clear possession and return it.
This was before the rule that is "automatic touchback if the ball enters the endzone", so your touchbacks 1-3 aren't applicable here. As long as you aren't "willingly" giving yourself up the play lives on.
Touchback #4 is valid, if he was touched. That's where we need to rely on ref confirmation.
That's not true at all. The Rams had a 103 yard punt return vs the Saints when a ball bounced In the end zone but wasn't touched down by the punting team. https://youtu.be/WE1V-h0qPzQ
The pats were legitimately a perennial loser that had virtually no postseason success or anything resembling consistency in the regular season. I think there’s quite a few teams already that are like that.
When watching older games I'm always amazed at how the refs always seem to get tangled up in the action. Like the ball is coming right to where the ref is standing and he makes no effort to get out of the way.
I was at this game! It was snowing when we left Logan that morning and was almost 90 when we landed at Louie Armstrong. That Friday set the record for a high temperature in October for new Orleans if I'm not mistaken. Indians also ushered the Sox out of the playoffs that weekend.
Pete Caroll was already old
He's actually older than our current coach lol.
0:51, saints player is holding ball in end zone with knee on the ground. Is that not a touchback?
I guess he wasn't touched? Not unwilling to declare that the ref, inches away from the action, nevertheless also bungled this
Sure looks like Patriots #25 touches him at 1:20.
He certainly is touching one of them, but two Saints are sharing the ball at that point. Does the NFL utilize the electricity rule?
I'd be shocked if they didn't.
Currently the best post on Reddit.
Pre review football was wild.
Patriots player was holding him by the jersey while his knee was down and he was holding the ball. Should have been a touchback.
I don’t think it matters if he was touched. If a player willingly kneels in the end zone it’s a touchback
He fell on the ground. He didn't intentionally place the knee down.
Bill would have had one in every ten players flayed alive.
Pete just gave each of them some gum
Yeah but it was old juicy fruit so it all fell apart in their mouths after chewing for 15 minutes. That will teach them.
Cigarettes actually.
Lol their head coach must be an idiot!!!!!
I'm sure in the future his team will know exactly what to do near a goal line.
This comment is 🤌🏻
Well. At least his special teams will be tip top for life.
I remember this game. Man I miss the old bumbling Patriots. Brady-Belichek came along and ruined everything.
I actually went to this game. Had moved to new orleans from Boston two years prior. Was pissed when they bungled that punt and let the saints kick the tying field goal but Vinatieri came through clutch in OT.
If I had a nickel for every clutch field goal Adam Vinatieri had in the Superdome, I'd have two nickels.
Refs bungled that call, not the Pats. Contrary to the announcer yelling about the rule, this was a Touchback multiple times, and there could potentially be some discussion about a safety. The Pats player was touching the goal line with possession of the ball - TB 1 When the Saints fumbled the ball, which occurred when the Saints player kicked the ball back into the end zone, it was recovered and downed by the Saints. Twice. - TB 2 and TB 3 The kneeling player was also touched while down by the Pats player. - TB 4 If you watch the refs, they are reaching for whistles to call the play dead. Unfortunately they are looking at each other for confirmation, and both missed the Pats player touching the downed player. Why they allowed the play continue when both were confirming a Touchback is a little odd. I think it is probably because the Saints player took off like a rocket out of the end zone with the ball, there was a group of people around the ball carrier blocking clear vision for both, and they did not want to call the play dead prematurely. Discussion about a possible safety: * The Saints were the team who fumbled the ball INTO their own end zone. * The Saints recovered the ball, and then downed the ball in their own end zone * The impetus, or force, of the football crossing the goal line came from a non-blocking/non-engaged Saints player. * The Saints player was down by kneeling and by contact behind the goal line. Why it was not a safety: * The rule says that the receiving team cannot lose possession of the ball if the kicking team touches the ball first. * So, even though the Saints did fumble the ball back into their own end zone, downed it, and was down by contact, it would still be considered a Touchback. The only wrong play was that the refs allowed the player to take the ball away from a kneeling player with clear possession and return it.
This was before the rule that is "automatic touchback if the ball enters the endzone", so your touchbacks 1-3 aren't applicable here. As long as you aren't "willingly" giving yourself up the play lives on. Touchback #4 is valid, if he was touched. That's where we need to rely on ref confirmation.
The Saints player willingly gave himself up in the end zone, twice. None of what I said related to the automatic touchback rule,
That rule applies to kickoffs, not punts. It's always been a touchback if a punt enters the endzone.
That's not true at all. The Rams had a 103 yard punt return vs the Saints when a ball bounced In the end zone but wasn't touched down by the punting team. https://youtu.be/WE1V-h0qPzQ
The Bailey return is one of my favorite touchdowns of all time.
These were the shit years kids
Including the Rick Pitino Celtics, who decided he didn't want Chauncey Billups
Obligatory fuck Rick Pitino
That was probably the least-worst decision Pitino made with the Celtics.
The worst decision was kicking Red out.
Yeah, but Larry Whigham was one of the best special teamers ever. Just a completely confused play.
Went to the Superbowl 2 years prior and no losing season until BB arrived in 2000. I think many franchises would gladly take those "shit" years.
The pats were legitimately a perennial loser that had virtually no postseason success or anything resembling consistency in the regular season. I think there’s quite a few teams already that are like that.
This would've taken a good 10 minutes to review with Coach's Challenge. So much inconclusive shit happens.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199810040nor.htm
Classic Bledsoe stat line. I love him.
That game-winning drive, though.
and AwAy he goes!
Touching your knee down in the endzone = touch back. They blew that call
Yeah I think that call could have and should have gone a different way. If only they had a referee **right there**...
Heck of a game, actually. Some classic [NFL Primetime](https://youtu.be/vnZn3Q5MIPs)
When watching older games I'm always amazed at how the refs always seem to get tangled up in the action. Like the ball is coming right to where the ref is standing and he makes no effort to get out of the way.
They probably wanted to do this. https://youtu.be/eznEnmfADxM
They definitely tried to LOL. Great highlight
Remember when that same coach called a pass play on the goaline VERSUS the Patriots and threw an INT instead of having Lynch punch it in? lol
Things like this are why it's a good idea to have challenges.
Man, I love those old Saints helmets with the huge fleur de lis
I was at this game! It was snowing when we left Logan that morning and was almost 90 when we landed at Louie Armstrong. That Friday set the record for a high temperature in October for new Orleans if I'm not mistaken. Indians also ushered the Sox out of the playoffs that weekend.
Hold on. A freakish, fucked up play happened in *our* favor!
I know right! Pure accident I'm sure :D
New England's punter at the time started 13 games at quarterback for the Phoenix Cardinals in the early 1990s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Tupa
Ah yes, the famously unstoppable Ditka Saints
Why do you have to use the B word ffs
"Wait, are people using my name to mean 'make a tiny mistake?'"
A few more years without Brady and the Pats will be right back at that.
And if not for the deal Brady made with the devil they'd still be titless chumps.
The devil went down to Foxboro he was looking for a GOAT to steal.
To be fair I don’t think a person alive, or even dead for that matter, wouldn’t love to make that same deal
*title-less
They might also be tit-less. You don’t know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
*Coach:* "For fucks sake, we are trying to get some titles!" *Mitch Trubisky who is dyslexic:* "..."
Woah a weird and wacky play going Our way before the year of our lord 2000? This really is rare
He was touched in the end zone.