Why Patriots WR Ja’Lynn Polk’s TD catch was overturned against the Dolphins

From Rule 3, Article 2, Section 7 of the NFL Rule Book: “If any part of the foot goes out of bounds during the normal continuous motion of a step (heel-toe or toe-heel), then the foot is out of bounds.” A player is inbounded if he drags his foot or if there is a delay between heel-toe or toe-heel contact with the ground.”

Polk fell backwards and didn’t try to drag his toe, so his heel also had to come down on the inbounds. That wasn’t the case.

“He had one foot in the court and when he finished the second step he had his toe in the court but his heel landed on the white line out of bounds. Therefore, he did not have two feet in bounds at the end of the catch,” said George Stewart, vice president of officiating, as part of a pool report. “It was a toe drop, there was no resistance. It was a toe drop that caused that pass to be incomplete.”

“I thought it was close,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said. “It was close, but in my opinion it was the right decision. But I have to go back and watch the movie. I saw the replay live. Just a difficult decision.”

Polk and the passing game had struggled up to that point, but the late drive appeared to be one in which New England would score and take the lead over its AFC East rival. Polk believed he was just the man for the job.

“At the end of the game we need someone to make a play. Get us the game winner,” Polk said. “I’m just trying to do something for the team.”

A few moments later, the Patriots failed to convert on fourth down. A drive in the final minute narrowly missed the end zone, and New England suffered its fourth straight loss and second by 5 points or fewer by a score of 15-10.

“Obviously a very disappointing game,” Mayo said. “I think there’s no doubt we’re tough, but we just have to get better from an execution standpoint. We have to be able to implement situations. We have to be able to take it game by game and we didn’t do that.”

Polk, who finished the game with one catch on six targets for 13 yards, expressed confidence in his ability to put in the necessary footwork for the score.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s clear to see. It’s clear to see that I came in with both feet,” he said. “But you know, we (are) not in this situation if I do my job the whole game. We build key blocks for our guys on the field and just pay attention to the details.

“I don’t know,” he said. “As a receiver you know: catch the ball, put your feet in. I feel like I’ve done that. I don’t really want to comment much on the referees’ situation and how they decide how they make the decision.”

Polk, who had nine catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in the first five games of the season, was more critical of his own play.

“I’ll put it on myself,” he said. “I have to know my job and what I have to do when we go out to put on plays. If that’s true. I only know the small details. Know the situation to get everyone on the same page.

“Like I said, I have to play better, I have to do better. I have to practice harder. I have to find ways with everything I can to help the team get better and myself.”

Double backs provide buoyancy

While Antonio Gibson got the starting job at running back due to Rhamondre Stevenson’s ball security issues, Stevenson stepped in midway through the first quarter. Despite a brief injury scare in the second half, he provided a much-needed offensive boost.

Stevenson had New England’s only touchdown of the afternoon, a 33-yard strike in the first quarter. The running back acknowledged Kayshon Boutte’s block on the play that freed him.

“Boutte had a great block on the corner, and I just ran out of the corner and saw the end zone,” said Stevenson, who finished with 12 carries for 89 yards. “I had to do it.”

New England’s ground attack had an impressive day, rushing for 151 yards on 19 carries.

“It just helps the offense,” Gibson said of the chance to switch off with Stevenson. “It keeps me fresh. This keeps Rhamondre fresh, and having two people running the ball well is always a plus. That just helps everyone.”

Reinforcements arrive

The Patriots have safety/linebacker Marte Mapu and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne in the lineup for the first time this season. Mapu played multiple spots as New England tried to make up for the loss of veterans Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger (among others). Bourne had a 6-yard catch on his only target. “I felt good,” Bourne said. “It’s good to be able to run after you couldn’t run at a certain point. It felt good to run some distances and get out.” . . . Not counting the flags that were dropped or rejected, the Patriots recorded 12 penalties for 105 yards. It was their highest score in a game since they rushed 12 for 92 yards in a win over the Browns at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 16, 2022. . . Peppers (shoulder) and Dugger (ankle) were New England’s main inactive players, while rookie receiver Javon Baker, defensive end Jamree Kromah and tight end Jaheim Bell were among the healthy scratches. Rookie Joe Milton III was the emergency quarterback. . . Miami running back De’Von Achane left the game in the first half with a concussion and did not return.

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Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @cpriceglobe.