Sunday’s Texans-Colts game included various controversial calls. Three of them were addressed by referee Clay Martin in a post-game pool report.

Like most pool reports, it was largely useless. But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what was said to pool reporter Stephen Holder.

First, on the fourth-quarter play where the play clock clearly ran out before the ball was snapped, Martin was asked why a delay of game was not called.

“The back judge is the calling official and there is a process on that,” Martin said. “When the clock hits zero, he looks down to the ball and if the ball is snapped as he looks down from the clock to the ball, we leave that alone. That’s what he ruled on the play.”

It’s not an uncommon situation. The NFL play clock isn’t like an NBA shot clock. There’s no bu

See Full Page