Will's You Make The Call #17

[WJMorris3]

The New England Patriots lead the San Diego Chargers, 21-20, late in the fourth quarter, but the Chargers are driving. They call their third timeout with eleven seconds left, on third and 5 from the New England 20. The Chargers send out the field goal unit. Suddenly, the worst possible thing happens. It's a bad snap. Acting quickly, Mike Scifres immediately spikes the ball, leaving nine seconds on the clock.

At what yard line, with what down and distance, do the Chargers now attempt the game-winning field goal?

[RyanB06]

They don't. Such a situation would require a 10-second runoff. Game over, Pats win.

(I think. )

[slapshot]

I don't think there would be a 10-second runoff for intentional grounding. There would be a 5-yard penalty and loss of down, so it would be 4th and 10 from the New England 25. (5 yard penalty, loss of down). But since the play was an incomplete pass, the clock did stop. I think there would be a clock runoff for a false start.

[WJMorris3]

Ryan's got it pretty much nailed.

They won't get another chance. By rule, you can only spike the ball to conserve time if you receive the snap under center -- which the holder, obviously, is not. Therefore, intentional grounding, which is 10 and loss of down. So it's fourth and 15 from the New England 30.

However, since it's a foul in the last minute meant to conserve time, there's a ten-second runoff enforced. The only way to avoid the runoff is to call a timeout - and the Chargers have none. Game over!