The Patriots lost to the Dolphins after Ja'Lynn Polk's winning TD was overturned on a silly catch rule technicality

New England Patriots versus Miami Dolphins wasn’t what anyone would call must-see TV. It was actually more of a game to avoid if looking for good football. It did, however, have an interesting finish, as the Patriots trailed 15-10 late in the fourth quarter and appeared to have scored what could have been a game-winning touchdown with a minute left.

Jacoby Brissett fired a pass to Ja’Lynn Polk in the back of the end zone, and the rookie got toes down from each foot for what looked like a score. However, upon review, the refs overturned the touchdown, ruling it incomplete.

Why? I’m not sure the exact letter of the law, but apparently toe-touch catches don’t count when the receiver’s back is to the out-of-bounds line. Or, in other words, the bottom of the toes don’t count without the heels also landing in bounds. I guess?

THE PATRIOTS GOT ROBBED.

JA’LYNN POLK GOT HIS SECOND TOE DOWN.

SHOULD BE A TOUCHDOWN

pic.twitter.com/KloDQtUxh9

— Savage (@SavageSports_) October 6, 2024

If Ja’Lynn Polk played for the chiefs that’s a touchdown with no review pic.twitter.com/4w48E1Lu8x

— Unbiased Red Sox Fan (@unbiasedsoxfan) October 6, 2024

If that’s actually the rule — which we can only assume it is since the refs had a chance to review it — it’s a ridiculous rule. A toe tap is a toe tap.

In this case, though, they said it wasn’t. The Patriots turned the ball over on downs and ultimately lost the game.