Ref Helped Patriots Avoid Penalty On Game-Winning Play (Video)

Oct 16, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets kicker Nick Folk (2) reacts after missing a field goal at the end of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots defeated the New York Jets 27-25. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

The New England Patriots avoided a penalty on their game-winning blocked field goal against the New York Jets, thanks to the help of a referee.

As time expired, the New England Patriots celebrated a blocked field goal against the New York Jets that sealed the deal on their 27-25 win.

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After looking at the final play further, it appears that the Patriots received help from a referee, who pushed Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower into position so he would avoid a five-yard penalty.

On field goals, players are not allowed to line up over the long-snapper.

Hightower did, but he was eventually nudged out of the way.

Had Hightower not been nudged into the appropriate position, the Patriots would have received a five-yard penalty and the Jets would have had the opportunity to retry the game-winning field goal from 53-yards.

While many people are complaining about the referee’s actions, Vice President of NFL Officiating Dean Blandino said that was standard officiating practice.

In #Jets #Pats game that is a standard officiating mechanic. No different than pointing out LOS to wideout.
— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) October 17, 2014

Even with that comment from Blandino, the public perception is that the ref made a mistake and the Jets should have had another chance to attempt the game-winning field goal.

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