Jets Beat Patriots But On Controversial Call

Even with the Patriots having a tougher than normal season and the Jets showing some real ability to play when they don't step on their own toes who in the world would have thought the Jets would have taken the Patriots to overtime let alone beat them?

But they did--although it was with the help of a controversial and legitimate call.

From Bleacher Report

Jets kicker Nick Foles had tried a 56-yarder in hopes of ending the overtime contest, but the ball fell short. However, there was a flag on the play that gave him another shot (see above)--and that is where the controversy is.

As you can see in the GIF, some of the Patriots gave their teammates in the center of the line a little push in hopes they could break through and block the kick. It turns out that is illegal:

NFL Rule Book 9-1-3(2) "Team B players cannot push teammates on the line of scrimmage into the offensive formation."

From Bleacher Report

I'm going to assume that it is a safety thing; that the extra pressure from behind could cause an injury when the offense does not move. With the force coming from behind something has to move and the league does not want it to be the knee ligaments of the guys being pushed.

That being said since it is something you don't really hear called often the play has Patriots fans upset--but rules are rules folks.

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