... Bob. The play you are referring to was an intentional forward fumble by the Snake (Ken Stabler) and resulted in the current rule which prohibits the offensive team from advancing a fumble in the last two minutes of the game, except by the player who fumbled the ball to begin with.

The "momentum" rule allows a defender who intercepts a pass while running in the direction of the goal line to down the ball for a touchback if his momentum carries him into the end zone (or, if he is tackled there, it is also a touchback). As far as I can see, there is no logical reason to treat a fumble recovery differently. ----- jim o\-S