There is no rule in the NFL that leaves football fans more confused than the catch rule.
We got another look at that on Sunday when what looked to be another touchdown for Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was overturned when it was determined he did not have possession of the ball before sliding out of the end zone.
Have a look.
Catch or no catch?
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 22, 2023
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/060kDJhJ85
It sure looked like a catch in real time, but CBS referee analyst Gene Steratore argued the ball was moving as Chase fell to the ground and fell out of bounds.
Close one in the back of the end zone in #CINvsBUF. This was originally ruled a touchdown on the field, but replay overturned to incomplete.
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) January 22, 2023
As Ja'Marr Chase went to the ground, the ball was moving and not in his control. Good overturn. pic.twitter.com/r4iyjIGIpP
By the letter of the rule you can make the argument that is the right call. But is that really what we want to be looking for here on overturns? A slight rotation of the ball when it never hits the ground?
The NFL world was not happy with it.
Horrible call give that man his td smh
— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) January 22, 2023
What thorough nonsense.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 22, 2023
That was absolutely 50/50 and called a catch on the field.
That’s everything that’s wrong with replay.
It was never intended for that level of objective minutiae. #Bengals
Upon further review! I have no clue how you overturn that Chase TD ♂️
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) January 22, 2023
I don’t care what the damn rule says. We all know that’s a touchdown. Zapruder film replays of a ball rotating halfway after it was clearly caught is not what the sport should be about https://t.co/6MoD7Rgc4D
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 22, 2023
That ended up being a huge call in the game and a four-point swing. Because that came on a third-down play the Bengals had to settle for a field goal and instead of taking a 21-7 lead had to settle for a 17-7 lead. In a close playoff game against a team as good as Buffalo those four points could loom large.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!