Well said, Steve. There was one late hit near the goal line, but I think it was only called because the defender lowered his head. If he just falls on him, I don't think they call it.

With the Saints road having to go through 3 Hall of Fame QB's in Brett Favre, Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning, they definitely ain't no fluke!

After watching the two point conversion it brought to mind my on going confusion over the NFL rule on TD's or in this case the two point conversion. Why is it that a running back only has to reach across the plane of goal line with the ball to get a touchdown.....but a receiver has to come down with the ball in hand and both feet on the ground? Should it not be a touchdown the minute he catches the ball because he has broken the plane of the goal line and when he lands should not matter.

I am a bit old school and think they all should gets there butts in the end zone for it to count. But we are going to have the rule why not make it apply to all players not just some. Any thoughts?

The rules say the player must possess the ball and advance it across the goal. If the ball is moving in an uncontrolled manner in the player's hands, he does not possess the ball and hasn't caught it yet. The Saints player clearly had possession of the ball as he crossed the goal. The referees were correct to overturn the initial call of an incomplete pass. Of course, the player has to have both feet down at the back of end zone which represents the end of the playing field.

The Colts got their butts kicked and ran off the field like bad sports!

To what TR said, I'll add: The rule applies to receivers and running backs equally. The distinction here is that he was in the process of catching the ball, and at first glance, it did appear to me that it was incomplete.

Nothing against her but is it just my imagination or does Carrie Underwood perform at every single Superbowl (since she won AI) these days?

So next year's halftime show? Aerosmith or The Rolling Stones?

Yawn.......

No you misunderstand Ars, I am not complaining about the call in the game. It was indeed the correct call as the rule stands. I am simply asking the question as the rule applies in general.

For example as a running back in my day in order to score the requirement was the player had to be in the end zone not just the ball. Somewhere along the way rule changed. What I have always been confused about is this...if the ball only has to pass the plane of the goal...then why is it not a touchdown the moment a receiver catches the ball even if he is still in the air. The rule says a receiver must come down with the ball with both feet in the end zone. If a receiver must then have both feet planted in the end zone...why not the running backs as well?

Manning said after the game that he left the field quickly because he felt that it was time for the Saints to have their day in the spotlight and he did not want to detract from that. Believe what you will, but it is not in his character to be rude to Drew. Saw a couple of interviews over the past couple of days with Drew and questions always seem to come back to something about Manning. I mean he is my QB, but this is Drew'S time in the sun...talk about him and his team.

Dave, as far back as I can remember, the rule was the ball has to break the plane of the goal line for it to be touchdown. There has not, since I've been watching the NFL, been a requirement that any part of a player's body be on the ground and in the end zone. I recall an early 1970s game between the Chiefs and Lions. Ed Podolak was tackled around the 2 yard line and fell forward. He was falling onto his back but reached over the goal line for the Chiefs' only touchdown. No part of his body was on the ground in the end zone. Also, haven't you noticed Reggie Bush's acrobatic moves, flying through the air as he's falling out of bounds but reaching the ball out.
As to receivers getting both feet in the end zone, that's about making it a legal catch. Applied anywhere else on the field, the issue is: Did he have control of the ball and get both feet in bounds? Whether it's a touchdown is secondary to whether it is a catch as defined by the rules.
The rule is consistent. The only variable is in the degree of possession. That receiver doesn't have possession until he has control of the ball and both feet on the ground in bounds.

Well perhaps this old mind of mine playing tricks on me, I was just had the feeling that the rule was something more recent, late 80's or such. The thing that has always bugged me is the rule as it applies to pass cathces and perhaps my dislike for that has clouded my memory. I just don't agree with the idea of having to get both feet on the ground for it to count. You catch the ball with your hands, the fact that your feet are in the air or on the ground should not be a factor. Given some of stretch moves I have seen over the past few years that involved the ball squirting away a second after it crosses the goal and still is counted, I am just of the feeling that a receiver should get just due.

Not one of those earth shattering things you know, just one guy's thoughts. The fact that I was a running back you spent most of his time catching passes because he played behind two really good running backs has nothing to to do with it.

I get where you're coming from, Dave. But I oppose such a change. So many rules that have changed since that Chiefs-Lions game I mentioned favor the offense, particularly the passing game.
At one time, defenders could bump ("chuck") receivers down field but had to take hands off once the ball was thrown. Then it changed to chucking all you want within 5 yards but only once down field. Then it became no chucking at all beyond 5 yards.
Also, it used to be illegal for 2 offensive players to touch a pass during a catch. If Reggie Wayne tipped it, a defender would have to touch it next before Dallas Clark could catch it.
Then there are the rules that protect quarterbacks.
If it's a called a catch while the receiver is in the air, there's nothing a defender can do. Knocking the ball out is pointless because it's already ruled a reception.