Today the NFL ruled that Ezekiel Elliott did not have a turnover via fumble (that specific wording is important) in last week's game. The ruling will change Elliott's score in leagues that deduct points for fumbles. And the scoring change will knock some teams out of the playoffs while unexpectedly propelling others to their fantasy championships.

The ruling has been changed and is no longer considered a turnover by fumble, which is the stat for which fantasy leagues award (or subtract) points. The major websites that perform fantasy league management are updating their scores (and, potentially, playoff brackets).

The Elias stat bureau changed the ruling, apparently at the behest of an a fantasy league player who contacted the league because he believed the ruling was in error. Not coincidentally, the guy claims he won his fantasy playoff game because of the scoring change.

On a 4th-and-1 play from the Indianapolis 3-yard line, Elliott was stuffed for a two-yard loss, and he fumbled. The original boxscore credited Elliott with a fumble. However, the league changed the ruling to not-a-fumble for the following reasons:

  • The referees on the field did not rule the play a fumble (ostensibly because the result of the play was the same: change of possession).
  • Any play ruled "turnover by fumble" must be reviewed on video. No replay review was requested or conducted.
  • "If the Referee does not have clear and obvious visual evidence as to which player recovered the loose ball, or that the ball went out of bounds, the ruling on the field will stand."
  • Video of the play shows it is not obvious whether the fumble was recovered by Elliott or by Jabaal Sheard.

    • The person who claims to be responsible for this ruling asks fantasy coaches who end up winning their games to donate a portion of their winnings to the ALS Association.