Report: Dolphins argue Patriots FG block stemmed from illegal formation
The Miami Dolphins have asked the NFL to review the New England Patriots' first-quarter field goal block touchdown from Sunday's game, arguing that the Patriots should have penalized for illegal formation, according to The Boston Globe.
Early in the first quarter, the Dolphins' 41-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Jamie Collins. New England's Kyle Arrington recovered the ball and ran it 62 yards for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a 7-0 lead.
But the Dolphins believe the Patriots lined up illegally on the play. If New England had been penalized on the play, the touchdown would not have counted and the Dolphins would have received five yards and a first down.
According to the report, Miami believes the Patriots lined up with seven defenders on one side of the formation, which the NFL does not allow on field goal attempts. A team is allowed to have a maximum of six players on one side of the formation.
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The Dolphins have submitted the play to the NFL for an official review. If the NFL sides with the Dolphins, the outcome of the game cannot be altered, but the game's officiating crew can receive poor marks on its performance review, The Boston Globe notes.
New England won the game 41-13.
The Patriots improved to 11-3 and clinched the AFC East with the victory. The Dolphins dropped to 7-7.
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