Ref’s inadvertent whistle might have robbed Patriots of a touchdown against Bills
Get ready for the NFL conspiracy theories.
An inadvertent whistle by a referee may have cost the New England Patriots a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night at Gillette Stadium. While scrambling to his right near his own 28-yard-line during the third quarter, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady lofted a pass to wide receiver Danny Amendola. After catching the pass near midfield, Amendola appeared to have nothing but green space between him and the end zone. But the play was over before he could even try to reach it, a whistle had been blown.
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After conferring with his fellow officials and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, referee Gene Steratore announced that the whistle had been inadvertent. The play was deemed over at the spot of Amendola’s catch. Bills coach Rex Ryan was also penalized for sideline interference on the play. The catch and penalty advanced the ball to Buffalo’s 40-yard line.
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The Patriots’ drive continued, but they were unable to score. New England’s Stephen Gostkowski missed a 54-yard field attempt just a few plays later, ending a franchise-record streak of 31 made attempts.
After the inadvertent whistle and the eventual missed kick, Patriots fans were left wondering what might have been.
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