With just over a minute remaining in Sunday’s Week 5 home game against the Dolphins, Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett appeared to have given his team a dramatic late lead after completing a 12-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk in the back of the endzone.
Yet the touchdown did not stand, called back by officials after it was recognized that — by the specific definition of NFL law — Polk’s foot had not completely come down in-bounds. The Patriots would up losing the game in the end, 15-10.
The exact definition relates to a new aspect of NFL rules in 2024.