Sacks count against team passing yards, but not the quarterback’s yards.
For instance, in this box score from the Bills/Chargers game yesterday, Josh Allen had 204 yards passing. But he also suffered 4 sacks for a total of 30 yards lost. So the team’s passing yards were 174.
My favorite is the fake FG attempt where our punter (Ryan) passed it to an OT (Gillaim), not only was it great fun to watch but it really turned round the NFCCG. Also relevant for the current thread about eligible receivers.
My wife brings it up every once in a while because of the absolute look of terror on Ryan’s face as he threw that pass.
It’s appropriate that he married a stand-up comedian.
I recall hearing that on those trick plays where the quarterback winds up catching a pass, it’s only legal if the QB starts from a shotgun position. If he receives the snap under center, he’s not an eligible receiver.
That seems odd to me. Maybe I misheard, or the announcer got it wrong.
Is it true that everyone hates Cris Collinsworth?
I’d imagine his wife doesn’t hate him.
Beyond that…
While this has been corrected, it has in fact happened. Marcus Mariota completed a touchdown pass to himself against the Chiefs in the playoffs back in 2018.
I remember that! It was a fun factoid. 
And an experienced 3rd string qb leads the Bears over the Eagles. Casey Keenum making it look easy, no turnovers seems to be key.
That QB sneak into the end zone was just awesome. I don’t think anyone thought that was in the realm of possibility.
Unrelated fact: The Jets defense has now gone 20 straight games without getting a single interception, extending the NFL record. It will be intriguing to see just how long this streak of defensive futility lasts.
Josh Allen also threw a touchdown pass to himself in 2024. In the snow no less. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlQeCodcEJU
You are correct on both counts – A QB cannot be under center and it does seem odd.
Eligibility Rules for Catching a Pass
Under NFL Rule 8 (Section 1), the requirements for a quarterback receiving a pass depend on who touched the ball first:
- Initially Ineligible: At the snap, a quarterback positioned under center (in a traditional T-formation or directly behind the center) is an ineligible receiver. They cannot be the first player on the offense to catch a legal forward pass.
- Becoming Eligible: The quarterback instantly becomes an eligible receiver the moment a legal forward pass is touched by any defensive player or any other eligible offensive receiver (such as a wide receiver, tight end, or running back who was properly aligned).
- The “Philly Special” Play: On trick plays where the quarterback lines up in the shotgun or moves out of the backfield/line legally, or if they hand the ball off or pitch it backward first (becoming a runner/lateral source rather than a passer), they are still restricted on a direct forward pass unless a deflection/touch occurs. However, if the QB hands or pitches the ball backward to a teammate, that teammate can then throw a forward pass back to the quarterback, because the quarterback is downfield or behind the line as an eligible receiver only after a touch, OR if it’s a backward pass/lateral, catching it behaves like any lateral/fumble rule. Wait—if a teammate throws a forward pass, the QB is only eligible if someone else touched it first. On a standard trick play like the “Philly Special”, the QB moves out of position to the slot/wide, but to catch a forward pass from a running back, the ball must be tipped/touched by a defender or another eligible player first, OR the play involves a backward pass (lateral) from the RB, which is not a forward pass and can be caught by anyone.
The Giants are releasing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
After not playing at all in 2025, Beckham returned to his original team this offseason; though he made the final Giants roster, he got little playing time. He was only targeted by one pass in three games, and was only on the field for six plays on Sunday.
Just a reminder:
I know we have a Week 4 thread, but this question is for a Week 3 game.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but on a lateral, if the catch isn’t made, it’s a fumble, and not the incompletion that a forward pass would become in a similar situation. Do I have that right?
You are absolutely correct. Unlike a forward pass, a lateral which is dropped or missed, and hits the ground, is still a live ball, and is effectively a fumble.
It’s no different than a bad handoff that’s dropped or a ball snapped by the center that goes past the QB. When a ball is going backward or sideways through the air (after being thrown) it’s live, but when it’s going forward it’s a “pass” and is dead it hits the ground or goes out of bounds uncaught (in which case it becomes an incompletion and a dead ball).
Oh, and the ball has to be thrown in a forward motion to be a pass, and if it is thrown forward but goes in a different direction (slips out of the hand, deflected, and so on) it’s still a pass regardless of actual direction of ball movement.
Kicks are of course their own thing.
Come on, give it up for the Bears!! They beat the previously undefeated Eagles with their #3 QB, and they looked dominant doing it!! 
