A Push to Remember

Your AFC East Weekly Roundup

By Kevin Reese

Just a mere 4,292 days since we witnessed the “Tuck Rule” ultimately decide an NFL game, we might have met the newest controversial rule. On January 19, 2002 the New England Patriots were the beneficiary of this rule that no one had ever heard of. It might’ve just decided that playoff game.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

This week, the Patriots were on the other end of the spectrum. This Sunday we were presented to the “Push Rule”.

The Patriots and Jets were locked in a back and forth match-up all day. Stephen Gostkowski was able to kick the game into overtime with his field goal with 16 seconds remaining. The Pats received the opening kickoff in overtime and quickly were forced to punt the ball back to the Jets.

The drive stalled after a ten-play drive, in which the Jets ran nine times. Nick Folk lined up for the decisive 56-yard field goal. Bill Belichick elected to not do the common “ice” the kicker, however, Folk would get another chance as his kick sailed well wide of the uprights.

As Folk was kicking for the game, a flag was simultaneously thrown to the ground. The entire MetLife Stadium population collectively exulted a “please let it be on them,” according to Jet’s head coach Rex Ryan. No one in the stadium could’ve predicted what was going to come out of referee Jerome Boger’s mouth.

Patriots defensive tackle Chris Jones violated Rule 9, Section 1, Article 3.2 of the 2013 NFL rule book, a rule which was newly implemented this year. The rule states, “[Defensive] players cannot push teammates on the line of scrimmage into the offensive formation”. Jones was unfortunately the first player to fall victim to this new rule.

The refs got the call right, but it came at the expense of the Patriots win total. The penalty was enforced as an unsportsmanlike conduct and pushed the Jets up 15 yards. After running the ball three times, Folk lined up for a second try from 42-yards away. Folk took advantage and ended the game with his leg.

The Pats felt the pain that the Raiders felt years ago (kind of). A previously unknown rule had a decisive effect on a big game. The result might not end up deciding the AFC East division race, but one thing is for sure: this isn’t the last time we’ll be hearing the “Push Rule”.