I guess you learn something new everyday; I wasn't aware that a loose ball which no one attempts to recover results in the play being called dead. I thought a fumbled ball could be live pretty well indefinitely (and had thought that would be a pretty funny form of a players strike).
That being said, there were two attempts at a recovery, so I'm glad the officials tolerated the "uncomfortable" moment and made the right call!
"the Quarterback can run if he wants to, but with this rocket attached to your body... who would?" -Aaron Rodgers