This Should Amuse Some People: Pats Get Extra 52 Seconds Against Steelers!

[RhymesayersDU]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2173143

Clock error added 52 seconds to Steelers-Pats game
ESPN.com news services

Tom Brady, among the league's best in late-game drives, led the Patriots down field for the winning score against the Steelers in 1:21 on Sunday.

But could he have done it in 29 seconds?

The NFL confirmed Monday that the game clock was improperly set early in the fourth quarter, adding 52 seconds to the game.

The NFL confirmed the error occurred at the beginning of the fourth quarter. With 14:51 remaining, Steelers receiver Cedric Wilson ran a reverse and was held to no gain; the play ran the clock down to 13:59.

A false start was called on Steelers guard Kendall Simmons on the next play, but instead of resetting the clock to 13:59, the clock operator set it back to 14:51 -- the time before Wilson's running play began. No one noticed the error, including the officiating crew.

Mike Pereira, the NFL's senior director of officiating, spoke to coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick about the error on Monday and addressed it in a prepared statement.

"The on-field officiating crew, which oversees the official game clock operated in the press box, failed to recognize that the clock was improperly reset," he said.

With those extra 52 seconds in place, the Steelers rallied to tie the game 20-20 on Ben Roethlisberger's 4-yard TD pass to Hines Ward with 1:21 remaining.

But that was enough time for Brady to lead the Patriots into position for Adam Vinatieri, the league's best clutch kicker, to make a 43-yard field goal with one second remaining to beat the Steelers 23-20 at Heinz Field.

[rbackfactory80]

Yeah I think the three time world champs out of 4 years need extra help from the horrible officiators we see on the field in all games anymore

[24champ]

Originally Posted by RhymesayersDU

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2173143

Clock error added 52 seconds to Steelers-Pats game
ESPN.com news services

Tom Brady, among the league's best in late-game drives, led the Patriots down field for the winning score against the Steelers in 1:21 on Sunday.

But could he have done it in 29 seconds?

The NFL confirmed Monday that the game clock was improperly set early in the fourth quarter, adding 52 seconds to the game.

The NFL confirmed the error occurred at the beginning of the fourth quarter. With 14:51 remaining, Steelers receiver Cedric Wilson ran a reverse and was held to no gain; the play ran the clock down to 13:59.

A false start was called on Steelers guard Kendall Simmons on the next play, but instead of resetting the clock to 13:59, the clock operator set it back to 14:51 -- the time before Wilson's running play began. No one noticed the error, including the officiating crew.

Mike Pereira, the NFL's senior director of officiating, spoke to coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick about the error on Monday and addressed it in a prepared statement.

"The on-field officiating crew, which oversees the official game clock operated in the press box, failed to recognize that the clock was improperly reset," he said.

With those extra 52 seconds in place, the Steelers rallied to tie the game 20-20 on Ben Roethlisberger's 4-yard TD pass to Hines Ward with 1:21 remaining.

But that was enough time for Brady to lead the Patriots into position for Adam Vinatieri, the league's best clutch kicker, to make a 43-yard field goal with one second remaining to beat the Steelers 23-20 at Heinz Field.

Lets hope they dont do that tonight, god knows the chiefs pay off the refs....just look at last weeks game against the faders.

[Crushaholic]

That would have probably meant overtime if the clock was properly set. Maybe not, though. Good coaches manage the clock efficiently. The Patriots would have just done things a little bit differently.

[bloodsunday]

Originally Posted by Crushaholic

That would have probably meant overtime if the clock was properly set. Maybe not, though. Good coaches manage the clock efficiently. The Patriots would have just done things a little bit differently.

Exactly! This story is titled as though the Pats got 52 extra seconds on the game winning drive. It was the first drive in the 4th quarter. There was a ton of football and hundreds of decisions executed over the next 15 minutes of the game. You might as well have said "what if the Pats didn't turn the ball over in the redzone in the 2nd quarter". Then the drive wouldn't have mattered.

A total non-issue IMO.

[Jason in LA]

I don't think it made any difference. I could see it being a problem if this happened very late in the quarter. But it happened so early nobody noticed it and it probably didn't effect anything.

[DBroncos4life]

It doesn't matter till it happens to us, then its a all-world problem. If they don't want coaches bashing these crews then get people in here that can do the job right. I don't care if they would have won or not its still crap.

[missingnumber7]

what home field disadvantage...and they have like 3 officials to watch that crap.

[Circle Orange]

the silver slipper still fits