What happens in a black hole? Have aliens visited earth? What is the difference between a busy and an incomplete pass?
The NFL should be able to answer that last question. We thought he had. If the ball travels backwards, it is straight. If a in the future The pass touches the ground, it is a dead ball. Simple. right? Error.
Before we dig into the confusing, inconsistently applied rulebook, let’s recall the game in question. Watch the ball closely. Jared Goff brings the ball back and up, not forward.
Section 21 under “Definitions” area Official NFL Handbook It seems to agree that this is not a forward pass. Article 3 states that going forward:
- After the ball initially leaves the passer’s hand, it moves forward. 🚫
- The ball first touches the ground, a player or anything else near the opponent’s goal line. 🚫
- There is a deliberate forward movement of the hand. 🚫
So it’s not going forward. Touching, Saints? Among NFL Newspaper readers, 76 percent thought so.
Not so fast, you find clear, common sense rules. There is another. The NFL handbook also explains how forward passing rules apply in certain situations, such as when Tom Brady is caught or Goff is hit while throwing. Emphasis added:
“If contact by an opponent materially affects the passer after the player has started the throwing motion, it is a forward pass if the ball is passed no matter where it is hit., Player, official or anything else.
Think about what that means. If it is quarterly It starts But for a throw, the ball is hit before it goes forward. If the ball touches the ground, it is an incomplete pass, not a throw.
This is because forward passing and throwing motion are defined differently.
“The quarterback’s throwing motion begins when he returns the ball with his arm,” Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira said of the call’s explanation.
“He’s started the throwing motion, now throwing motion is to lift the ball up… because that motion has started, it’s going to be a forward pass wherever it lands.
Mike is right. As were officials in Detroit. That is it. The rule.
The problem is that not all authorities are clearly aware of this. By this principle, were both old calls wrong? Or did Caleb Williams and Josh Dobbs not pass the ball, and therefore these are not forward passes?
It seems to come down to one question: Wes Goff to pass When the ball goes backwards? In the above two cases, the arm was in motion, but was loose before the throw.
“Once one arm moves, it doesn’t matter where the ball goes,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said.
It’s even sadder for that GIF’s quarterbacks, Williams and Dobbs, and all fans of Common Sense Laws. If the ball travels backwards must be. Be crafty. That’s not how the rule works.
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Seven teams that cannot start 0-2
Matt LaFleur is a highly regarded play caller. A few weeks ago, defensive coaches ranked him ahead of only Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay and Ben Johnson. Among the best in the league.
He’s also not popular in Green Bay right now. His The offensive line needs to be fixedLike the Packers’ performance in the second half of the game.
- Green Bay has dropped 69 in the fourth quarter of its last six games, going back to last season: 15-84. Of
- This six-game losing streak is the franchise’s longest this century.
It could be worse. Since November 2025, the Colts are 0-8.
Both Green Bay and Indy are among the teams in dire need of a win this weekend. Of course, the 16 currently winless teams would much rather avoid losing again, but these seven have high hopes.
Get ready to ring the alarm bells for someone on this list:
Manufacturers Losing to the Jets in the tough NFC North would be worse than going 0-2. It will be Green Bay’s first such start in 20 years, which will turn up the heat on LaFleur’s seat.
Patriots: Despite AJ Brown’s injury, the next two games are against the Jaguars and Bills and a win against Pittsburgh is essential, meaning it could be an 0-4 start for the reigning AFC Champions. When will it be? The fall of Drake Maye dead end?
Battery Chargers: Could this be the last time LA gets picked until… Week 11? It seems cruel a A team that has a lot to fix:
Broncos: You can Stop the run? is it Damage ok? This week’s visitor, Jacksonville, had the highest-scoring game of any Denver opponent last year (a 34-20 Jags win). Next: Rams, 49ers, Chargers and Seahawks. You can’t start slow in the AFC West.
Cows: This The defense seems to be unprepared Amazingly for the Giants. That can’t happen against Washington, or else a brutal five-game stretch starting with the Ravens in Week 3 could sink their playoff hopes.
Colts: Shane Steiken was largely excused for a seven-game losing streak due to injury to end last season. But everyone was healthy A flat opening last weekend It’s win-now time for a franchise without the Ravens’ 41st first-round pick.
Rams: 0-1? Check. Is the star hurt? Yes, it’s Myles Garrett. Exit for the next monthat least. Still the Super Bowl favorites? for now. Considering how favored the rivals the Seahawks and 49ers are this week, the Rams can’t afford to start 0-2.
Who needs it the most? Vote for the most desperate team here.
More points
🌳 Coaches branch. The Shanahan family coaching tree has roots in the NFL. Gary Kubiak’s footprint is easy to overlook, though his kids are changing that. Clint and Clay’s NFL future was no guaranteeAccording to Zak Keefer details.
🏫 Jalen Harts donated $600,000 Largest high school in Philadelphia for air conditioning. It is not the first time It is given to the society. This should count against him QB level.
➕ Great additions. Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum allowed zero pressures and was Las Vegas’ top-rated player in Week 1. Best season additions At this time.
🤖 Shopping Giant. Austin’s mock model increased their odds of playing after Week 1 to 33 percent. Less kind to packages.
▶️ Multi-click: Ours Week 2 energy levelsThe team you like is lower than it should be and the team you don’t like is too high.
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