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Update:
The NFL released the following statement on the matter, not that it'll change anything or make Steelers fans feel any better:
With 0:08 remaining in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers, Kansas City faced a fourth-and-12 from the San Diego 23. The Chiefs attempted a 41-yard field that was no good.
On the play, San Diego lined up with seven men on one side of the snapper. This should have been penalized as an illegal formation by the defense.
Rule 9, Section 1, Article 3 (b) (1) of the NFL Rule Book (page 51) states that "No more than six Team B players may be on the line of scrimmage on either side of the snapper at the snap."
The penalty for illegal formation by the defense is a loss of five yards. This is not subject to instant replay review. Had the penalty been assessed, it would have resulted in a fourth-and-seven from the San Diego 18 with 0:04 remaining, enabling the Chiefs to attempt a 36-yard field goal.
Original story:
(nod to reader JRowden7 for this)
This is almost getting comical.
We complained whined wrote about a fumble that apparently didn't happen. Now, photos show a clear miss of NFL rules from an official who appears to be staring directly at the violation.
NFL rules- (a) When Team A presents a punt, field-goal attempt or a Try Kick formation, a Team B player, who is within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage, must have his entire body outside the snapper’s shoulder pads at the snap. (b) When Team A presents a field-goal or Try Kick formation: (1) No more than six Team B players may be on the line of scrimmage on either side of the snapper at the snap; Penalty: For illegal formation by the defense, loss of 5 yards from the previous spot. (2) Team B players cannot push teammates on the line of scrimmage into the offensive formation. Penalty: For unnecessary roughness, loss of 15 yards from the previous spot
My Maths aint so gud, but thar seems to be eight seven players to the right of the snapper (eight are on that side but seven are on the line).
And our buddy, Mr. Official to the right, is either incapable of counting, or he's thinking about what flavor martini he plans to order at the airport lounge after the game.
