QUESTION: Was the call that gave the Seahawks a 14-12 win over Green Bay on Monday the right call?
Was it a touchdown or interception? Was it a Seattle or Green Bay player who came down with the ball?
This is one that everyone - ESPN analysts to coffee shop consumers alike - will be talking about for days, perhaps longer.
It could be the straw that breaks the NFL's bargaining back and forces the league to bring back its regular referees.
Stunning is perhaps the only way to describe the conclusion of the Monday Night Football game between the Seahawks and the Packers, which was broadcast to a nationally televised audience.
The game's final play of regulation came down to a Hail Mary pass from quarterback Russell Wilson, who lofted the ball into the end zone some 30 yards out.
A group of players leaped for the catch. In the end, the ball came down in the arms of two players: Green Bay's M.D. Jennings and Seattle's Golden Tate.
(Click here to watch ESPN's video replay of the catch)
The game's referees - replacements filling in for the NFL's regular refs who are engaged in a labor dispute - called it a touchdown, giving the Seahawks perhaps their most controversial win. Ever.
Video replays showed Jennings, the defender, coming down with the ball tucked in his chest, with Tate's left arm wrapped around the defender and his right arm on the ball.
Even after reviewing the tape, the refs confirmed the play.
Touchdown. Hawks win. Packers jolted.
Even before the play, the referees made a number of questionable calls and penalties against both teams.
Let the brewing controversy over replacement referees explode all over the kitchen.
Afterward, users set the social mediasphere ablaze with criticism. Seattle Coach Pete Carroll said during his press conference that the referees explained that possession went to the offensive player.
The game's television announcers - including former coach and never bashful Jon Gruden - disagreed.
So we want to hear from you, Patch users. What do you think? Was the call right or not? Tell us in the comments below.
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/photo/2012/09/25/seahawks-packers-92412/#id=album-355700&num=content-6753016 Both Jennings and Tate have two hands on the ball, with neither having brought it to their chests for a complete reception. I can honestly say that it was simultaneous reception.
NOBAMA2012!
And I'd be a little more sympathetic to the Pack if Rodgers hadn't spent so much time on his backside in the first half.
Will this one game, win or lose, change the standings at the end of the season? Uh.... no. No one game decides a season, there are 16 regular season games and they all count the same. But the foul by Tate before the "reception" where the defender in front of him got a harsh push off in the back, that doesn't get mentioned much. The great pass into a crowd by a rookie QB on the 4th down in the last seconds of a game... wow ... lots of poise there to even get it into the receiver's hands.
Sorry, just not reading the sarcasm if that is what you were meaning.
The reason that they spent so much time discussing the initial touching of the ball is because that is when simultaneous reception is determined; not when they hit the ground. Thankfully, this discussion is almost over because not only did Russell Wilson get us a win, he also ended the lock-out!