Maybe not.
But it was an obvious attempt to maximize the Pats’ chances.
Classic fix - make the dubious call at a critical juncture in the first half, so you can’t be accused on overt cheating.
Do you realize in was 4th and 4, and the refs called illegal motion on the field? Then, after a video review (I had no idea this was reviewible - never seen it before!) the CHANGED THE CALL to encroachment. Who ever heard of that?
Whereupon, the Pats drive the length of the field to effectively put the game away in the first half. Created a turnover out of thin air - the video did not indicate encroachment.
Full disclosure - I hate the F-ing Patriots.
Concur