NFL referee Bob McElwee explained a key decision in the final minute of the New England Patriots' 33-30 comeback victory over the Chicago Bears.
McElwee, the game's head official, said he had to estimate whether the Patriots made a first down because the ball had been moved before he could bring in the chains to measure.
"I conferred with my crew and they strongly felt that the quarterback had advanced the ball past the first-down marker,'' McElwee said in a statement Monday. He would not talk to a pool reporter after Sunday's game.
McElwee, the game's head official, said he had to estimate whether the Patriots made a first down because the ball had been moved before he could bring in the chains to measure.
"I conferred with my crew and they strongly felt that the quarterback had advanced the ball past the first-down marker,'' McElwee said in a statement Monday. He would not talk to a pool reporter after Sunday's game.
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