Chiefs vs Pats--WT....

[Willy]

So, I am not the most knowledgeable, nor the most enthusiastic, person when it comes to football, but...how in the world did NE get the ball after not catching a punt about halfway through the 4th quarter--whether they touched it or not?! Why bother to catch a punt/call a fair catch when the risk of fumbling it exists if the receiving team will be given the ball anyway? Why not just let the ball fall to the ground any time a clear return option doesn't exist?

What am I missing?

Edited to add:

OK, the above is a clear example of how a brain can misfire in a spectacular way. I have "always known" that the receiving team needn't catch the ball, having seen countless times when the uncaught, bouncing ball is downed on the one yard line, or, alas, goes into the end zone and is brought out to the 25. Yet, last night, I just couldn't get it straight. All I can do is blame my intense desire for the Pats to lose for my brain malfunction. LOL Making it even funnier, and stranger, I realized my mistake the instant I woke up this AM.

Moral of the story? The next time you see someone do something really stupid, remember that they may just be having a brain fart.

[Larry Grover]

Suppose you're the punt returner at your 40 yard line and you refuse to catch the ball. It will most likely bounce to the 5 yard line and the kicking team will down it. Your offense is now backed up with poor field position.

if you try to catch it but fumble the kicking team can take possession. In the case you mentioned the ball didn't touch him so it was not a fumble.

[Willy]

Bump to the top.

[Steve R.]

It's all good, Willy We don't judge around here. Unless you boil ribs.

[Mr. Bones]

"Cerebral Flatulence" is an almost never discussed condition, that is, quite sadly, under-funded fer research, an development of a cure, much less preventive innoculations, or even viable treatments to mitigate existin cases into any semblance of remission...

It do happen, with alarmin frequency, though...

[mrteddyprincess]

I've been to MA, and much to my chagrin, the people around Boston are some of the nicest people I have ever met. I'm from Indy, and we have been the proverbial @#$%^#@ of the Patriots. I dislike NE tremendously, but the darn nice people there softened my stance toward the Pats. So I understand KC fans and their disappointment. KC was on a roll, and once again, the Cheatriots turn out on top. Sorry, did I mention I'm from Indy? :-) No harm intended, and I have yet to meet a Patriots fan I don't really like. Go Rams!

(Chiefs, you didn't do yourself anything special by celebrating like you won the game when you scored and took the lead with seven minutes left. Tom Brady is the QB on the other team. Have you watched any football in the last seventeen years?!? Maybe you should have saved your energy for the remaining seven minutes of play...)

[Larry Grover]

It's all good Willy. Excess bean dip & beer cause fartage.