Why did they pick up the flag at the end of the first half?

[Pappy13]

I didn't get to see the game, so could anyone explain why they picked up the flag at the end of the first half when Tannehill threw into the endzone to Matthews? Seemed like a helmet to helmet flag, but then it was picked up? Did they give an explaination as to why?

[Phishfan]

The officials did not explain. Same situation as the NE game though, the ref who threw the flag was consulted by the others and picked it up. The TV crew thought it was a penalty though.

[Dolphster]

I had a funny moment about that.  As a general rule, I think that although player safety has to be a priority, the rules on contact have become way too stringent and that although "headhunting" should be a penalty, I hate that even incidental helmet to helmet contact should not be considered a penalty.  And I believe the helmet to helmet aspect of the hit in the end zone was incidental.  But when they picked up that flag, I was yelling "That was clearly helmet to helmet contact! Why are you picking up that flag!"    5 yard penalty for hypocrisy on me.     

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

The officials did not explain. Same situation as the NE game though, the ref who threw the flag was consulted by the others and picked it up. The TV crew thought it was a penalty though.

You would think after last week, the refs would do a better job at explaining picked up flags.  Even those who didn't think Carolina deserved a flag, blasted the refs for not explaining the pick up. 

In the Pats-Den game they seemed to be making a real effort to explain themselves. 

[Pappy13]

The officials did not explain. Same situation as the NE game though, the ref who threw the flag was consulted by the others and picked it up. The TV crew thought it was a penalty though.

Well it wasn't the exact same situation since in that game the refs ruled that the ball was not catchable. That couldn't have been the case here as Matthews actually had the ball before being hit. But as usual another crucial call goes against Miami and no one notices. This one plus the one where Cam Newton forgot that he was playing Football and for a second thought he was playing futbol, but instead of getting a red card for diving got a yellow flag and extra 15 yards. I guess I can understand the refs being confused as to which sport Cam Newton was actually playing.  I'm actually shocked these days when Miami actually gets a call that goes their way.

[dolphins4life]

Given the way the defense was playing, I don't think it would have made a difference

[Pappy13]

Given the way the defense was playing, I don't think it would have made a difference

I kinda doubt that. That would have been half the distance to the goal and an automatic 1st down. Even if Miami doesn't score a TD, no doubt some more time comes off the clock and it's possible that Carolina doesn't have time to go down the field and score a FG on the next possession. That was a pivotal call. At the time I was thinking that was a potential 7 point swing if Miami would have scored a TD instead of a FG and Carolina doesn't kick a FG.

[MikeO]

It was a blown call by the refs.

[Phishfan]

To be fair on the Newton dive, we were all yelling at the stupidity of the hit as well until we saw it in slow motion replay.

[Dave Gray]

I'm telling you -- with these kinds of calls affecting the game as much as they do, you gotta allow for replay.  You just have to.

[Pappy13]

To be fair on the Newton dive, we were all yelling at the stupidity of the hit as well until we saw it in slow motion replay.

Yeah it was a nice dive by Newton, might have even gotten a PK call on that one.

[Fau Teixeira]

Yeah it was a nice dive by Newton, might have even gotten a PK call on that one.

he should have gotten yellow carded for that dive .. and then his smarmy smile afterwards .. what a douche

[MikeO]

Wake was fined today for his hit on Newton on the 1st play of the game. But the endzone helmet to helmet hit on Matthews wasn't fined. Unreal