Just minutes into Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game, the Houston Texans were knocking on the door of matching the New England Patriots' hot start.
After Drake Maye hit Demario Douglas on fourth down for a first-drive touchdown, C.J. Stroud led his unit down the field as well, reaching New England's one-yard line for a third-and-goal play.
For a moment, it appeared that Woody Marks had capped the drive by punching the ball into the end zone. But after scoring the touchdown, flags were on the field, and Houston's score was wiped off the board for illegal motion.
Upon a closer look, it appeared the Texans' fullback wasn't fully set while another player was in motion, resulting in a meticulous, but consequential penalty. Here's what to know about illegal motion rules and why the Texans violated them on their touchdown play.
MORE: Live updates, highlights from Patriots vs. Texans
What is illegal motion in NFL?
According to the NFL rulebook, illegal motion can be called for a few reasons. The biggest part of the rule is that there can only be one player in motion at the time the ball is snapped. All other players must be fully set.
Here are the scenarios where an illegal motion flag will be thrown:
- More than one player is in motion when the ball is snapped
- That one player is moving toward the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped
- Other players are not "stationary in their positions" when the ball is snapped
- An eligible receiver does not come to a complete stop after movement before the snap
- A T-formation quarterback goes in motion and fails to come to a complete stop for at least one full second prior to the snap
When illegal motion is called, it results in a five-yard penalty. The key aspects to avoid the penalty: having one player moving either parallel or away from the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap, all other players being fully set, and eligible receivers pausing after movement before the snap.
Why Woody Marks touchdown was called back
The Texans' penalty on the potential touchdown was a bit ticky-tacky, but a violation of the illegal motion rules nonetheless.
On the play, tight end Dalton Schultz was legally in-motion before the snap. That aspect was fine, except the officials saw Houston's full back, standing in front of Marks, visibly still leaning down to get set on the ground while Schultz was moving.
Because the full back wasn't completely set, the Texans were flagged. Moments later, Houston proceeded to take a field goal instead of a touchdown.
This illegal shift took away a Woody Marks TD from the Texans 😳
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 18, 2026
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