Another week, another catch controversy in the NFL.
The New England Patriots got a stroke of luck (again) Sunday, as the Buffalo Bills watched as Kelvin Benjamin's spectacular touchdown was overturned on review despite arguably lacking sufficient evidence.
Related: Kelvin Benjamin's TD vs. Patriots overturned by controversial review
Twitter reacted predictably to the latest fiasco caused by the NFL's convoluted rulebook:
Al Riveron has taken it upon himself to change the standard for what constitutes enough evidence to overturn the call on the field. He routinely changes calls when there simply isn't indisputable, clear, and obvious evidence that the call on the field was wrong.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) December 24, 2017
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
NFL just overturned David Tyree catch and declared Patriots winners of SB XLII
— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) December 24, 2017
The “clear and obvious” standard for overturning a call on instant replay is supposed to be very deferential to the call on the field. If replay officials are instead using a standard that doesn’t give deference then they aren’t doing their job. https://t.co/KERZoVslwk
— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) December 24, 2017
Enough time during that overly scrutinized replay session to wander into the wilderness and contemplate the prominence of football in one’s life.
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) December 24, 2017
I love instant replay - it’s been great for the Patriots don’t change anything NFL.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) December 24, 2017
It's sad to me how many otherwise respectible journalists fall into conspiracy thinking when it comes to the Patriots instead of just "Man, the NFL catch rule is freakin' annoying and needs clarification and strange decisions happen around the league."
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@FO_ASchatz) December 24, 2017
one thing that's become increasingly clear this season: the refs no longer need "conclusive" evidence to overturn a call. everything's fair game.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 24, 2017
Ridiculous micromanaging overturn in New England. Replay is out of control.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) December 24, 2017
Only thing I can think of is they’re gonna say the ball moved as Benjamin took his right hand off the ball but nah, that was a TD.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 24, 2017
