Overview
- Officials assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on Dowdle’s celebration, and the longer extra point was missed by kicker Ryan Fitzgerald.
- There is no written “two-pump” rule in the NFL, as the rulebook broadly bans prolonged or excessive celebrations.
- Observers noted inconsistent enforcement after a similar McCringleberry-style move earlier in the day went unpenalized for New England.
- Dowdle said he believed two pumps were allowed and added he hopes not to be fined, as plays are typically reviewed by NFL Football Operations after games.
- Despite the flag, Dowdle ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns and his late 19-yard burst set up Fitzgerald’s 49-yard winner, while Keegan-Michael Key joked that Dowdle “got robbed.”