If you were wondering why the referees were trying to clear the field after Jason Hanson's game-winning field goal sailed through the uprights on Sunday, it's apparently because head referee Ron Winter didn't know the rules of overtime (allegedly).
↵That resulted in Jim Schwartz, who had already slain his patented post-win fist pump, to politely inquire as to what was going on and kindly remind the refs that there are rules to be learned:
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↵↵"They were just having a little discussion, and they needed to be reminded that it was regular season rules. But they were going to get it right. When I say 'they,' I mean the referee. The referee knew right away, but he had a couple of whistles blown and he needs to listen to his other guys."
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Jim Schwartz thought the refs were trying to implement the new OT rules for the playoffs:
↵↵If a field goal is made on the first possession of overtime, the other team gains possession. If that team scores a touchdown, game over. If it kicks a field goal to tie, then the next team to score wins. The only way the game ends on the first possession is if that team scores a touchdown or if the defense forces a safety or returns a turnover for a score.
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Kevin Seifert at ESPN's NFC North Blog refuses to believe the refs didn't know the rules, citing Tom Pelissero, who maintains the refs were simply reviewing the field goal to make sure it was indeed good.
↵A 32-yard Jason Hanson field goal needing review? Yeah, right, and Donovan McNabb knows the rules of OT, too.