I don’t think I’ve ever come across a clock that works like that. Time displayed is time remaining.
It would make some sense if a clock displaying seconds went to zero at 0.4999 seconds, since the actual time is now closer to zero than to 1 seconds. But going to zero at 0.999 seconds seems thoroughly illogical.
The standard for officiating – at least as I remember hearing it explained years ago during a game – is that the referees don’t blow the whistle when they see the play clock at zero. After seeing the play clock is at zero, they then look back at the ball and the line of scrimmage. If it still hasn’t been hiked even after they have seen the play clock at zero, that’s when they call delay of game. The explanation during that same broadcast years ago was because of the one second between 0 and 1.
There are a multitude of ways I could be wrong about this.
The explanation you gave was the explanation that was also mentioned by the announcers in the Lions/Vikings game, and I believe Gene Steratore confirmed it. So I don’t think you’re wrong.
The announcers also said they didn’t care much for that kind of enforcement as their opinion but that it’s just how the rule is enforced so whatever.
Perhaps the NFL should begin using play clocks like the shot clocks in the NBA, which show tenths of a second.
When those clocks show 0.00, it’s definitely zero.
And they also have a loud horn so it doesn’t depend on the ref looking two places at once. To account for loud stadiums and greater distance, they could use a radio in their ear or something.
“Referee Harrison Bergeron calls delay of game. “
I’ve never understood, is a delay of game supposed to be called as soon as the clock hits 0, or is it supposed to be called when the clock hits 0 and has remained that way for one second - in other words, if “00” was a second itself, that second has to be depleted before the offense has truly run out of time to snap the ball?
Here’s the NFL rule:
It is a delay of the game if the ball is not put in play by a snap within 40 seconds after the start of the play clock. The play clock operator shall time the interval between plays upon signals from game officials. The 40-second interval starts when a play ends, unless Article 2 below applies.
When the clock hits zero, time to call a penalty.
And while it might be belaboring the obvious to say so, fouls are only called when officials see them. Just as they can’t watch all 22 players at the same time so miss holds on plays constantly, or might not have the angle to see that facemask penalty or arm being tugged on during a pass, they can’t see the play clock while watching the center at the same time.
I’m sure that there could be a way for technology to make this more precise, such as a device an official can carry that’s wirelessly synchronized with the official play clock they can keep in front of their face while watching the center, but there has to be the feeling that it’s necessary to go through the trouble.
If people raise enough of a stink that the league looks bad, maybe it’ll happen. But I think there are other mistakes that are made that are much more controversial so this probably won’t rise to that level any time soon IMO.
The other way it could be addressed without additional technology is to make it a reviewable/challengeable call. But that obviously has the downside of slowing down the game.
The Chiefs rested their starters because they were scared of the Bengals, though.
Running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was released by the Cowboys last week, so that he might have a chance to sign on with a playoff team as a free agent, has been signed by the Chargers, whose main backup RB, Gus Edwards, has been dealing with an ankle injury.
Agreed on both points. Imagine replay officials trying to zoom in on the ball as they watch the clock on another screen to see to the hundredth of a second if they got it off on time. 
Agreed. The best case I can imagine is a timer that automatically sounds about a third of a second after the clock expires (so it doesn’t sound over the QB’s last “hike!”), but I’m not sure it’s worth it.
Though, now that I type that, that wouldn’t be bad. I guess the worst part is that it would give the offense a 1/3-second grace period, but meh.
I hope this is a comment made in jest, as both the Bills and Eagles rested multiple starters as well.
What’s wrong with just keeping it how it is now? It’s consistent and everyone is used to it. It ain’t broke.
Because it’s not consistent. Sometimes it’s a tenth of a second grace period, sometimes it’s a second plus.
It’s not a big deal, but it’s weird that there’s a rule with a very clear definition that’s still enforced fuzzily.
If baseball thinks human umpires calling the strike zone is somehow integral to the game, I don’t see the play clock thing getting any traction at all.
Eagles cut Ian Book today, signaling Jalen will be back! Along with Kenny and Tanner.
Ugh. Was really hoping Hurts wouldn’t hurt me again. Will definitely have to watch it muted so I don’t have to hear the words “tush push” 37 times again (yes, I counted them in week 1).