The Philadelphia Eagles clinched their 30-17 victory Sunday over the Washington Redskins on a 20-yard fumble return by defensive lineman Fletcher Cox.

It's fair to question whether the play should have been ruled a fumble at all.

On the play (which came with less than two minutes left in the game), referee Brad Allen ruled that Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins lost the ball when hit by Eagles pass-rusher Brandon Graham -- and, presumably, before his hand started moving forward. Cox scooped up the ball and ran for the score.

Replays, however, showed the ball appearing to move forward from Cousins' hand. In that circumstance, according to NFL rules, the play should have been called an incomplete pass.

Here's how the NFL rule book defines a forward pass:

"(a) the ball initially moves forward (to a point nearer the opponent’s goal line) after leaving the passer’s hand(s); or

(b) the ball first touches the ground, a player, an official, or anything else at a point that is nearer the opponent’s goal line than the point at which the ball leaves the passer’s hand(s).

(c) When a Team A player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional movement forward of his hand starts a forward pass."

In watching the replay, you could argue that all three options apply to this play.

NFL senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron upheld Allen's call in replay review.

As a reminder, Riveron replaced Dean Blandino during the offseason and the NFL is starting its first season in which the final say of all replays are being decided by the league office in New York. The NFL's standard for overturning calls has not been altered, however. The mistake must be clear and obvious in order to merit a change.

Former NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira, now a broadcaster on Fox Sports, said during the game that he would have overturned the call. It might not have changed the outcome, but the fumble ruling and subsequent Eagles touchdown eliminated any chances of a Redskins victory.