Why wasn't this a TD?

[channtheman]

I've been wondering this since I saw it live, and also wondering why no one else noticed this play.

6:23 is the start of the play.

Obviously Jordy does not step out of bounds at the 5 because then the ref would have marked him down at the five. He marked Nelson at the 2. Nelson's left leg also doesn't touch the ground out of bounds. Finally, the ball crosses the goal line, it doesn't matter that it is out of bounds (and if you don't believe me watch this TD that happened 3 weeks earlier in the Atlanta game)

Play starts at 6:03 in that video.

In the NFL, the goal line extends forever. Theoretically, you could stand at the 1, jump sideways at a 5 degree angle and 40 yards later you barely move forward but land in the endzone and that would be a TD (if you didn't touch the ground, yes this is impossible, just an extreme example to make a point). This happens in both of these plays I've shown yet only one was a TD. Maybe no one cares that it wasn't ruled a TD because we scored 2 plays later. But that doesn't mean it should have been ruled a TD anyway.

[vince]

The ball has to cross the goalline inside the pylon. On the Kuhn play, it's tough to see unless you get the right angle on the goalline from behind the referee, but the ball just barely crossed the goalline inside the pylon just before Kuhn was hit out of bounds.

I'll try to find that angle that shows the ball just barely crossing the goalline.

[MJZiggy]

Jordy's foot went out on the last step just inside the 5 and it looks like the ref marked where the ball was when he stepped out. Look at the very last step before he went airborn.

[superfan]

I believe your basic premise about the goal line extending forever is false. In every similar instance I've seen, the ball has to be inside the pylon for the score to count. My understanding is that if the ball is outside the pylon, the play is ruled out of bounds.

[MadtownPacker]

Seems like he was in the air. I actually prefer Jennings got the TD. Jordy already had one and more important Jennings had been making his catches.

[channtheman]

I believe your basic premise about the goal line extending forever is false. In every similar instance I've seen, the ball has to be inside the pylon for the score to count. My understanding is that if the ball is outside the pylon, the play is ruled out of bounds.

Yes, looks like you are correct. I did some research (GOOGLE!) and found this from a 2007 rule change.

The Competition Committee reviewed the definition of a score and how to call an airborne runner crossing over the
goal line pylon. In previous seasons, an airborne runner had to get any part of his body inside or over the goal line pylon
before he touched out of bounds to be awarded a score. This was not consistent with spotting the ball elsewhere. Now
an airborne runner must get any part of the football to pass over or inside the goal line pylon before he touches out of
bounds to be awarded a score. This will make the rule easier to understand and consistent everywhere along the sideline.

http://www.nfl.com/kickoff/story?id=09000d5d801e3eb1&template=without-video&confirm=true

Yeah I want to see that Kuhn angle because that one might not have been a TD either then, according to this rule change. I always remember Madden or someone saying "the goal line extends around the world" but it sounds like that has been changed.

[vince]

Here's what the ref saw.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81db4d24/Kuhn-TD-reception

[channtheman]

Here's what the ref saw.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-h...n-TD-reception

Thanks! That is a perfect view. Now I can educate my dad on this issue as well. Glad I finally figured this out.

[Iron Mike]

Why wasn't this a TD?

I don't know.

[gbgary]

[Guiness]

Had to show that Kuhn TD again, eh?

How that hit was not a fine is beyond me. Sure, Kuhn wasn't defenseless, but the tackler pretty much left his feet and led with his helmet. Not sure how that's not a spear.

[packerbacker1234]

Kuhn's TD may be legit as it may have crossed INSIDE the pylon.

As for Nelson - in addition to never crossing the plane in the field of play (there is no question he did not cross the plane in bounds) his left foot also stepped out at the 3 before the ball was even in the area of the plane (aka, left side of pylon. He stepped out of bounds with teh ball around the 1 and half yard line with his extension. You can see it if you look closer.

EDIT: I stand corrected - he may have indeed had his right foot touch the sideline at the 5 now that I am going frame by frame. It's a poor angle, but you can see how is foot is coming down right at the edge where the line is, and definitely on the next foot down (the left) it hits out of bounds. EIther way you slice it he was out of bounds.