NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough was hit from behind by Las Vegas Raiders defender Malcolm Koonce in the fourth quarter. The play was ruled a fumble.
Officials determined Koonce hit Shough before he began a clear passing motion. Because the hit disrupted Shough before the pass could be initiated, it was ruled a loose ball and a fumble.
The ruling differed from a call involving Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff two weeks earlier. In that instance, officials said Goff’s intent to pass was protected because his arm motion had already begun, based on his raised arm.
The fumble ruling was a topic of discussion in the Saints locker room after the game.
The NFL’s vice president of instant replay, Mark Butterworth, was asked about the play after the game.
“On that play, we were able to confirm that the defender’s hand hit the ball and the hand. The QB lost control of the ball before his hand was coming forward,” Butterworth said.
“All we are looking for is the hand coming forward with control to make it an incomplete pass. In that play, the hand was not coming forward with control of the ball,” Butterworth said.
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