Did Rob Gronkowski make this incredible catch? The Texans didn’t bother to find out
The ball may have hit the ground, but New England wasn’t going to give the refs or the Texans a chance to review it
The New England Patriots may not have much depth at wide receiver, but Rob Gronkowski is proving once more that the Pats’ passing game is going to be fine — although the club won’t say no to a little help from the officials.
Gronkowski injected life into New England’s half-ending two-minute drill Sunday by hauling in 28-yard pass through double coverage up the seam. But while the back judge ruled the diving catch a completion, Texans’ defenders were adamant the ball hit the ground — and replays, while unclear, seemed to suggest an official review was on the way:
The ball certainly moves a lot, but does it hit the turf without Gronkowski controlling it? Let’s see another angle.
That’s not much clearer, but CBS officiating analyst Gene Steratore suggested he would have ruled the pass an incompletion. Texans cornerback Aaron Colvin agreed.
Aaron Colvin on Rob Gronkowski catch 'That's BS in my opinion. I don't think he caught that ball. I think that was the big play in the game, but it is what it is. We got to get that ball and make it unquestionable'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 9, 2018
While replay officials were busy determining whether or not to stop action in Foxborough, the Patriots decided against betting on the random event generator that tells NFL referees what is and isn’t a catch this week. Brady hurried his team to the line and got off a quick snap handoff to Rex Burkhead before an official review could be called in or the Texans could call a timeout. The 28-yard gain was locked in.
Four plays later, Brady would find Phillip Dorsett in the back of the end zone for a four-yard touchdown pass.
Houston head coach Bill O’Brien’s decision not to use a timeout to allow officials more time to debate the call on the field earned some immediate scrutiny:
As many have said, a VERY curious decision by Bill O’Brien to not challenge that Gronk catch on NE’s final drive of the half. Not sure if he was waiting for automatic review inside two minutes or just was late on the draw. #Texans
— battleredblog (@battleredblog) September 9, 2018
But while O’Brien could have bought some more time by stopping the clock, the league’s inability to call in a review was even more suspect. With fewer than two minutes to go in the half, any replay would have to be initiated from the league’s main office in New York. Instead of getting word to officials to stop the play on the field, the Patriots were able to erase any chance of a review by snapping the ball and effectively closing the door on the previous play.
How does the league not review that Gronkowski catch. That’s ridiculous to let Patriots snap ball first.
— Ed Werder (@EdwerderRFA) September 9, 2018
The end result? 28 yards for Gronkowski, a harried handoff to Burkhead that was fumbled and then recovered by the Pats, and an advantage for a New England team that benefitted from lapses both in the replay booth and the Texans’ sideline.
It was the second big connection from Brady to Gronkowski of the afternoon. The first was a third-and-12 touchdown strike that was further proof of how dangerous that pair can be.
The Texans haven’t taken any chances, doubling Gronkowski on several important downs. And in one half, they’ve allowed the All-Pro tight end to rack up 60 yards and a touchdown against them. The Patriots may be thin at wideout, but as long as Gronk’s at full strength the New England passing game will remain one of the league’s best.