The ref is from PITTSBURGH!!

[Pappy13]

that makes zero sense what you said. If its a "fumble" then you have to determine who has the ball.

The replay doesn't have to determine that if it's already been decided on the field and is not being challenged.  Miami wasn't challenging who recovered the fumble, they were challenging the fact that he fumbled prior to crossing the goal line.  The replay did in fact show he fumbled prior to the goal line.  That's enough to overrule the TD call.  Why does it have to show who recovered the fumble as well?  That's already been determined on the field.  If Pittsburgh wants to challenge who recovered the football, they should be allowed to do that as well, but then if replay doesn't show who recovered the football, you lose the challenge.

[MikeO]

The replay doesn't have to determine that if it's already been decided on the field and is not being challenged.  Miami wasn't challenging who recovered the fumble, they were challenging the fact that he fumbled prior to crossing the goal line.  The replay did in fact show he fumbled prior to the goal line.  That's enough to overrule the TD call.  Why does it have to show who recovered the fumble as well?  That's already been determined on the field.  If Pittsburgh wants to challenge who recovered the football, they should be allowed to do that as well, but then if replay doesn't show who recovered the football, you lose the challenge.

but the refs never ruled Miami recovered the ball. They didn't even look nor pay any attention. A ref has to signal that someone recovered the ball for Pitt to challenge it

[Phishfan]

They didn't even look nor pay any attention.

Incorrect. You can clearly see two of them are digging in the pile.

[Pappy13]

but the refs never ruled Miami recovered the ball. They didn't even look nor pay any attention. A ref has to signal that someone recovered the ball for Pitt to challenge it

They didn't "officially" signal it because it had been ruled a TD and not a fumble, but the refs on the field did tell the Miami players they had recovered.  They took the ball from the Miami player and told the players that they had recovered, but that it had been ruled a TD before the fumble so it didn't matter who recovered.  Once the play was challenged according to instant replay rules you have to be able to see who recovered in the replay, but I don't see why you shouldn't be able to use what the refs ruled on the field as far as the recovery goes.  Go read the comments from the players after the game, several of them stated that the refs on the field stated the ball was recovered by Miami.  And even if the refs wouldn't have said that Miami recovered on the field, from the replay you can see that Miami came out of the pile with the football.  There's OVERWHELMING evidence that they got the call wrong. 

[bsmooth]

They didn't "officially" signal it because it had been ruled a TD and not a fumble, but the refs on the field did tell the Miami players they had recovered.  They took the ball from the Miami player and told the players that they had recovered, but that it had been ruled a TD before the fumble so it didn't matter who recovered.  Once the play was challenged according to instant replay rules you have to be able to see who recovered in the replay, but I don't see why you shouldn't be able to use what the refs ruled on the field as far as the recovery goes.  Go read the comments from the players after the game, several of them stated that the refs on the field stated the ball was recovered by Miami.  And even if the refs wouldn't have said that Miami recovered on the field, from the replay you can see that Miami came out of the pile with the football.  There's OVERWHELMING evidence that they got the call wrong. 

What this shows is that the refs made two bad calls. First they called a td, then they blew the whistle ending the possibility to establish possesion of the ball.
The crew could not have screwed the pooch anymore if they tried.

[MikeO]

The referee crew that BLEW the Big Ben fumble call vs Miami..........yesterday they didn't work a game. The NFL gave them an "unplanned" week off.

Go figure!!

[MikeO]

and this week they sent Gene to Canada!!!

Don't tell me this guy isn't paying for his sin

[Stinger24]

and this week they sent Gene to Canada!!!

Don't tell me this guy isn't paying for his sin

So friggin what it does not help we should be 5-3 instead of 4-4 and that one game will probably cost us a playoff spot sending them to Canada does not do crap for us!!!!

[MikeO]

So friggin what it does not help we should be 5-3 instead of 4-4 and that one game will probably cost us a playoff spot sending them to Canada does not do crap for us!!!!

That one game won't cost us anything. Miami is not a good football team and can't play against the elite teams in this league

[mecadonzilla]

and this week they sent Gene to Canada!!!

Don't tell me this guy isn't paying for his sin

I'd much rather be in Toronto than Buffalo anytime.  Doesn't sound like much of a punishment to me.