The league said in a statement Tuesday that Seattle’s last-second touchdown pass should not have been overturned.

The NFL says Seahawks receiver Golden Tate should have been called for offensive pass interference before the catch, which would have clinched a Packers victory, but that cannot be reviewed by instant replay.

The replacement officials ruled on the field that Tate had simultaneous possession with Green Bay safety M.D. Jennings, which counts as a reception. The NFL says that once that happened, the referee was correct that no indisputable visual evidence existed on review to overturn the touchdown call.

On the final play, Russell Wilson heaved a 24-yard pass into a scrum in the end zone. Tate and Jennings both got their hands on the ball, though the Packers insisted Jennings had clear possession for a game-ending interception.

During his weekly radio appearance Tuesday morning on KIRO-AM in Seattle, Carroll said he understands why there is so much outrage about the call that awarded Golden Tate a 24-yard touchdown reception and gave Seahawks’ a 14-12 win.

But he says the call ruling it a simultaneous catch, which awards the reception to the offense, was correct. The NFL backed the call Tuesday.

Carroll acknowledged that Green Bay defensive back M.D. Jennings had the advantage on the final play in the air, but said, “when we finished the catch we had the ball and they had the ball too, so it’s simultaneous.”=

Windy City pennant contender in action this afternoon

UNDATED (AP) — The White Sox ride a wave of momentum into this afternoon’s game against visiting Cleveland following last night’s come-from-behind 5-4 victory that snapped a five-game losing streak. Adam Dunn’s two-run homer in the eighth allowed Chicago to maintain a one-game lead over Detroit atop the AL Central standings. The Tigers beat visiting Kansas City 6-2 and will host the Royals again this evening.

Also tonight in the AL, New York enters its game at Minnesota with a one-and-a-half game lead over Baltimore in the East. The wild card-leading Orioles entertain Toronto. Oakland holds the second wild card entering its outing at West-leading Texas. The L.A. Angels begin their home contest against Seattle trailing the A’s by two games, and Tampa Bay puts a five-game winning streak on the line in Boston.

The closest race in the National League involves the second wild card. St. Louis is the holder entering its game at Houston. The Cardinals are three-and-a-half games better than Milwaukee and Los Angeles. The Brewers take on the Central Division champion Reds in Cincinnati and the Dodgers play at San Diego.

Elsewhere under the lights, East leader Washington has a magic number of five entering its game at Philadelphia, wild card leader Atlanta is home to Miami, the New York Mets shoot for a fourth straight win when they entertain Pittsburgh, Chicago is at Colorado and West champion San Francisco is home to Arizona.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-PLAYOFF

UNDATED (AP) — BCS conference officials have identified candidate cities to host the first championship game in college football’s new postseason system, and the four current BCS bowls will be among the choices.

The Fiesta, Rose, Orange and Sugar bowls are about to enter an exclusive negotiating period. BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock said Monday in a statement that the commissioners will begin talking to organizers from those games immediately about the possibility of hosting the first national championship game to be played under the newly developed four-team playoff system on Jan. 15, 2015.

Hancock did not identify other cities, but ESPN.com reported earlier Monday that the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and Dallas Cowboys Stadium would also be considered.

Busch gets a new ride

DENVER (AP) — Kurt Busch is ready for yet another new ride.

Furniture Row Racing hired the 2004 NASCAR champion to drive for the Colorado-based team in 2013. Busch will replace Regan Smith in the No. 78 Chevrolet. Busch split with Penske Racing at the end of last season because of his many off-track incidents. He spent this season driving for Phoenix Racing in the Sprint Cup series.