Did refs miss obvious penalty on Patriots game-winning punt return?

The New England Patriots may have received the benefit of a no-call on their game-winning punt return. Marcus Jones sealed the deal with the touchdown.

With the victory, New England has now defeated the Jets for the 14th consecutive game.

While it wasn’t pretty, Pats-Jets was a master class in conservative coaching and play-calling. Both Mac Jones and Zach Wilson struggled on Sunday afternoon, and football fans paid the price. While the Jets and Patriots were rightly invested in the final outcome, football fans just wanted to avoid overtime.

In that sense, perhaps the officiating crew did us a massive favor.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1594437124736004096

Upon first look, this is nothing more than the obvious — a breathtaking end to a football game no one enjoyed watching. But there’s more than meets the eye.

Did Patriots get away with a penalty on game-winning return?

Football fans on social media were quick to point out what looked to be a block in the back near the end of Marcus Jones touchdown.

https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/1594437583614128129

The still photos would suggest a penalty on New England, as Jets punter Braden Mann gave chase. However, live action typically tells a better story.

I mean, that’s pretty definitive, no?

Robert Saleh and New York have every right to be furious, especially considering how much this game meant for their AFC East chances. Yet, even with the penalty, the Pats would’ve been at or near field goal range, which is important to point out.

With the loss, the Jets fall to 6-4, while the Pats improve to that same record. The only difference? New England now holds the head-to-head advantage, which could loom large as it pertains to playoff seeding, should the Jets make it that far. The entire AFC East is over .500 at the moment, with the Miami Dolphins leading the division by a half-game after the Bills win on Sunday afternoon.

The Jets suddenly sit in last place, all thanks to a bizarre no-call.