Touchback-to-touchdown ruling in Texans-Bills game gives Houston fans a heart attack

The Houston Texans and their fans nearly had a heart attack after the way the second half began in Saturday’s wild-card playoff game. Up 13-0, the Bills were kicking off to the Texans, and Stephen Hauschka sent one deep into the end zone. DeAndre Carter made a safe signal with his arms to show that he was giving himself up for a touchback, but he never actually kneeled in the end zone. He flipped the ball to the referee close to him, who then avoided the ball. The Bills jumped on it for what was originally ruled a touchdown for Buffalo. The officials gathered and after discussion said they were changing the call to a touchback, which is exactly what should have happened. It was clear and evident Carter was making no effort to return the kick and wanted a touchback. However, he learned his lesson that he should always kneel to leave no doubt. That was sloppy on his part. ESPN also deserves some criticism. The network was so eager to throw it to Lisa Salters for a report that it missed what happened. ESPN had

from Yardbarker: NFL https://ift.tt/2ZSKDhe