[Sea Ray]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

I agree that there should have been a huddle and the call shouldn't have been made right away. However after watching the play if the one official has TD and the other had INT I don't know if the outcome changes. Its my understanding that simultaneous possession goes to the offensive player. Once the play has been completed and the officials deem simultaneous possession it doesn't matter who ends up with the ball. I have seen many times when both an offensive player and defensive player have the ball, go to the ground, the defensive player wrestles the ball away but the catch is awarded to the WR.

Watching the replay for the first time it appeared as if the DB first had the ball in the air with Tate having an arm on the ball. As they went to the ground both players were wrestling for possession of the ball. When they went to the ground the DB had leverage and pulled the ball away from Tate. I can't be certain and say the incorrect call after the fact. I can see the argument made for simultaneous possession and wouldn't be shocked if the regular refs would have made that call after the fact.

I said above it isn't the actual game calls that are bothering me about the refs its their handling of the situation and letting things get out of control. Make the call, stick to your guns, and avoid the coaches and players. The regular refs, regardless of a right or wrong call do that.

By rule it was not a simultaneous catch. Jennings caught it and Tate got an arm on it as he was going down. By rule that does not qualify as a simultaneous catch:

Rule 8 - Section 3 - Article 1 - Item 5: Simultaneous Catch. If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control. If the ball is muffed after simultaneous touching by two such players, all the players of the passing team become eligible to catch the loose ball.