The Atlanta Falcons managed to secure an impressive victory in the road against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15. It seems any controversy regarding the game-winning touchdown by wide receiver Julio Jones has since been settled.
NFL senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron insists that the replay proved Jones was able to secure the catch and cross the plane, via Matt Maiocco of NBCSportsBayArea.com:
“It’s clear and obvious to us that he gains control with two feet on the ground, completes the process and brown breaks white,” Riveron said.
Riveron also touched upon why tight end Austin Hooper's touchdown grab was ruled incomplete on the play before.
“This is the one remaining situation where you have two steps, but if you don’t have a football move, you’re going to the ground, you must survive the ground,” Riveron said. “In this situation, he takes the ball, it hits the ground and then he loses control of the football when he comes back up. Therefore, it’s an incomplete pass.”
The catch helped secure a clutch win for Atlanta in a hostile environment versus a formidable opponent in San Francisco. It is also further evidence of why Jones remains as one of the NFL's premier wideouts.
Although the Falcons have not had much to hang their hat on in the 2019 NFL season, they have seemingly managed to end the year on a high note going into the offseason. Meanwhile, Jones has two games left to put the finishing touches on yet another All-Pro year.
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