The New England Patriots lost 33-26 to the Minnesota Vikings in the late game on Thanksgiving Thursday, and Bill Belichick wasn't in the greatest mood for his post-match interview.
The Patriots led the game on multiple occasions, including during the second half. But they ended up losing the game by seven points, although it could have been a lot different if Hunter Henry's touchdown wasn't overturned.
During the third quarter, Henry and Patriots quarterback Mac Jones connected on a six-yard touchdown, although the call was overturned following a review. Belichick was unhappy with the call, and snapped at a reporter who asked about the decision after the game.
"Why don’t you guys go to the officials with your pool reporter and ask them about the play?" an angry Belichick said. "And let them explain it to you. Right? Isn’t that what you do? Thank you."
The touchdown would have put the Patriots up 30-23 if it counted, but they went on to lose the game, as the Vikings moved 9-2 for the season. Henry was adjudged to have not made the catch as he fell to the ground by the endzone, something that the Patriots star disagreed with.
Henry was adamant that he made the catch, and explained himself after the game. "I believe I caught it, but they made the call and (we’ve) just gotta live with it," Henry said.
"They said it hit the ground, but I believe my hand was under the ball. The hand was under the ball with hitting the ground. That’s what caused it to jump up. But I’ve just gotta live with it."
The Patriots had to settle for a field goal as their touchdown was denied, and they didn't register a single point for the rest of the game. 10 points in the fourth quarter snatched victory for the Vikings, who look in great shape heading towards the end of the regular season.
The Senior Vice President of Officiating for the NFL, Walt Anderson, was asked to justify the call after the game. Anderson claimed: "He was going to the ground, the ball ended up touching the ground and then he lost control of the ball in his hands.
"He has to maintain control of the ball upon contacting the ground. The term that’s commonly used is ‘surviving the ground’ – a lot of people refer to that.
"So, as he’s going to the ground, he has the elements of two feet and control, but because he’s going to the ground, he has to maintain control of the ball when he does go to the ground."
Despite having two hands on the ball, the officials decided he did not maintain control, something that is still being widely debated.
