Sorry - but the kicker has the affirmative right to the ground on which his plant foot lands, and the seahawk's shoulder turned the kicker's ankle. That's the whole purpose of the roughing rule - the kicker is essentially helpless to avoid injury when the plant leg is taken away. That "benchmark" is the rule, as I understand it.
With respect to the Bowman fumble - the fact that the seahawks couldn't convert is immaterial. The fact that ANOTHER bad call favored Seattle was my point.
I would like to see the officiating crew from Seattle barred from ever participating in post season games again - they were far from impartial, in my opinion.
A member of the receiving team may not run into or rough a kicker who kicks from behind his line unless contact is:
(a) Incidental to and after he had touched ball in flight.
(b) Caused by kicker’s own motions.
The defender was in mid-air before the kickers foot was planted. Both contributed to the contact which makes the 5 yard penalty completely appropriate.