Jets miss end zone chance as pass hits Skycam; refs misapply rule

The New York Jets missed a play on their first drive against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon. During a third-and-goal from the 7-yard line, Jets quarterback Justin Fields threw a pass to running back Breece Hall. The ball hit Cowboys defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.'s facemask, then the Fox Skycam. The play was called incomplete, and the Jets settled for a field goal, leading 3-0.

As per the NFL rulebook, Rule 7, Section 2, Article 7, hitting the Skycam should have meant replaying the down. The officials made an error in real time, and no replay was initiated. The Jets could have challenged the ruling but chose not to. Instead of another chance at the end zone from the 7-yard line, the Jets' 13-play drive ended with three points. The Cowboys led 30-3 until the Jets scored a field goal. Dallas eventually won 37-22.

A similar incident occurred in the Minnesota Vikings-Cleveland Browns game in London, where a field-goal attempt hit a camera wire. The officials ruled it a miss instead of replaying the play. The Vikings won 21-17.

Saad Yousuf, a staff writer covering the NFL, previously reported on the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Stars at The Athletic. He also works at 96.7/1310 The Ticket in Dallas and spent five years at ESPN Dallas radio. Before The Athletic, Saad covered the Cowboys, Mavericks, and various sports at The Dallas Morning News. Follow Saad on Twitter @SaadYousuf126.