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Packers benefit from NFL's interesting 12 men on the field rule

By Chris Chase, USA TODAY

Early in Thursday night's game, the Green Bay Packers got a free first down when a replay review determined that Chicago Bears linebacker Nick Roach was still on the field when Aaron Rodgers snapped the ball on third-and-3. Thought replays appeared to show Roach off the field, a new interpretation of the NFL's 12-man rule says that a player with a foot in the air over the sideline isn't technically out of bounds. Both feet must be down.

Rodgers' pass fell incomplete and the Packers challenged the 12-men call. The official reviewed the play, made the correct determination and Green Bay got a first down. The Packers converted a field goal later in the drive to take a 3-0 lead.

The NFL's rules on invisible planes and two feet are all over the place. The ball only need cross the plane of the end zone for a touchdown. A punt can cross the plane of the end zone but if it's touched by a player standing in the field of play, it can be downed. Receivers must have two feet down in bounds. A quarterback's entire body has to be fully past the line of scrimmage for a flag to be thrown. A player running off the field must have both feet down out of bounds.

With steadfast rules like this, it's no wonder replacement refs don't know what they're doing? How could they!

They got this one right though, even if the spirit of the rule is way off. This is the second primetime game this year with too-many-men drama. It's ticky-tack stuff. Are players running off the field that much of a problem? It's not as if Roach was going to do an about face at the sideline and drop back into zone coverage. Leave minor rule interpretations for golf. Keep the penalty, don't make it reviewable. If the officials can't tell whether a player's foot is touching the sideline or in the air at the time of the snap, it's not a big enough deal to stop the game to find out.

ESPN analyst uses excellent 'Dumb & Dumber' reference
Couch potato's college football TV guide