The reciever caught the pass but while he was trying to secure posession and complete "a football move" (as the rules state) he lost his balance, pitched forwad and regained his balance by placing the ball on the ground.
This was apparently not seen by the officials since they initially ruled it a touchdown after the fumble.
Since this wasn't the call on the field...I think they got it right. A safety...since the Seattle player clearly gained control of the ball THEN stepped out of bounds.
That would have been a touchdown.
While I agree that maybe the pass should have been ruled incomplete, that's not what they ruled. And they certainly didn't rule that Seattle ever gained control. (In that case it would have been ruled a TD or a first down close to the goal line.)
Don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that giving Dallas a first down on the 20 would be "fair," but I think that's what the rule is.
ML/NJ
"but while he was trying to secure posession and complete football move"
No. look again at the film. He caught the ball and had already made a football move (took a step to try and avoid the tackle) before he fumbled.
I agree with you completely. When I initially watched the play my immediate reaction was an incomplete pass. When he placed the ball on the ground he had his hands on the side of the ball not under it, I've seen dozens of plays that are ruled incomplete for less.