As we
visually noted Sunday, Arizona cornerback
Michael Adams caught his right index finger on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ facemask. Had a penalty been called,
Karlos Dansby's game-winning touchdown would have been nullified.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but it also captures a split-second in time. The potential for penalty is far less obvious when watching the play in live speed.
The NFL issued a rules explanation Monday in response to questions about the play. I got my hands on it this afternoon, and its general tone suggests that no illegal act occurred because Adams -- in the judgment of officials -- did not twist, turn or pull Rodgers’ face mask. An inadvertent grab is legal in part because of a 2008 rule revision.