A subtle technique noticed during film prep may have led to the Redskins’ 20-17 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday.
Washington Special Teams Coordinator, Ben Kotwica, observed that Cowboys’ longsnapper L.P. Ladouceur slightly adjusted the ball before snapping it, which technically is an illegal motion and 5-yard penalty. Kotwica gave his notes to Jay Gruden, who tipped off referees before Sunday’s game to watch for this behavior. The so-called ‘snap infraction’ went uncalled until the final and crucial play, which turned a 47 yard attempt into a 52 yarder.
Cowboys’ kicker Brett Maher subsequently missed the field goal as it hooked into the upright in the final few yards.