Salem, OR — The league has made a decision regarding the events of week five’s game between the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans. According to the commissioner’s office, both teams have been given a warning and both will be penalized -15 pts for violating league rules. The full statement from the commissioner can be seen below.
After review of the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans, it is clear that both violated league rules. The Bills, violated the league’s “Quitting” rule and therefore resulting in a warning and points deduction. It is understood why the Bills coach felt it was necessary in this case. However, had he not quit only one side would have been found guilty of violating league rules. We also want to discourage anyone from quitting for any reason. The Titans are also getting a warning and points deduction. With the game well in hand, with a score of 42 to 17 and 3:25 remaining in the game, on a 3rd and 3. The Titans could have simply ran the ball, instead elected to continue to push the passing game and score more by calling an audible to the TE. While that might have been borderline, the real violation occurred when with 59 seconds left on the clock, the Titans scored another touchdown on 1st and 10. There was absolutely no reason to attempt a play. All that was needed was kneel down and let the game clock countdown to zero. The touchdown violated the league’s “Play with class” rule.
Both teams have spoken with the league and have expressed their disappointment in the events that happen. The league hopes this will not repeat itself under any circumstances and hope both teams learn and grow from this.
Play with class
While this play maybe borderline, with the score 42-17 and 3:25 in the game. Is there really a need to try and continue to score?
Play with class
While the previous play may have been borderline, this play is not. On 1st and 10 with 59 seconds left and the game locked up for the Titans. All that should have happen was a kneel down, period.
Quitting
While the league understands the frustration from the Bills perspective. We strongly condemn the use of quitting by any member of the league, even in cases where a member feels the other user is breaking rules.
That’s fair. I apologize for that and I have to also say that both the Titans and I talked one on one and it was a positive conversation.
unfortunate this happened, but very glad to hear both sides come to terms. Good job guys, maybe a rivalry has been born??
Glad both sides were able to move on and not blow things out of proportion. It’s going to be a LOOOONG season. Good thing they’re both in the AFC hehe
Titans accept this warning but are curious why the league did not review the multiple incidents involving going for it on 4th down and hurry up offense … Even in the 1st half…
We did look at it. He only ran no huddle 3 times before the 2 min warning and none of those were back to back, except for after the 2 min warning. At which point he was down 21-3. Then in the 3rd quarter he didn’t do any no huddles to start the second half. The 4th down play he did was justified as he was down 21-3 with 5:28 left in the 3rd, It was a 4th and goal from the 7th yard line. The way your team was playing he had to do something to get back in the game. Had he been down only a score or even 10, and gone for it on 4th, then yeah that would of been something we would of brought up to him.
4th down. 2nd quarter. Own 27.
https://youtu.be/vYyiHKmGHyA?t=1767
4th down. 9 minutes left. Own 28.
https://youtu.be/vYyiHKmGHyA?t=3583
If this is acceptable behavior, great! Cause i might need to do the same coming up, but it needs to be clarified by the league when it is “acceptable” to go for it on 4th down (I’d say practically never inside your own 40 yard line unless its… inches? A yard?)
Let’s make this clear, you (Titans) set the tone for going for it on 4th and 1 or inches when it was 0-0 in the 1st quarter. The Bills did it while down 3-21. In my opinion, you already set the tone for the game. He probably did it because you did it earlier. Besides, based on the way he was playing, did you really think he was going to convert that? In your second video, its the 4th quarter and the game is out of the Bills’ hands. If you have played long enough in the league or watched enough games, you would know that when you are down by at least 3 scores (21 points) going late into the 3rd quarter or into the 4th, you can go for it on 4th down and do no huddle BUT once you get it within one score, you can no longer do it.
The Commish can clarify or correct me if need be.
Read if not re-read:
– Punts and 4th Downs
– Play with Class
https://discordapp.com/channels/471949086598103040/471970375358742530/480294529623130129
You’re taking zero influence in from ball position and distance to sticks.
But good. I will use this game as reference for these rules. All I can ask for is consistency in application.
I did not watch the entire game but I did see the last few minutes of it. I believe the Titans intercepted the Bills and began their drive on Bills territory. From that very moment the Titans should have ran the ball while running the clock out. If he gets to a 4th down, kick the FG. There is no need to pass the ball even though you see a weakness in the opponents coverage. It was purposely done. Those of us who have been here long enough know those actions are wrong. While the commish disciplined both teams, I believe his punishment wasn’t hard enough. However, I am glad that both teams managed to settle the issue.