Despite the NFL’s recent efforts to simplify what constitutes a catch, there never seems to be a consensus on what actually is a catch. Ja’Marr Chase was the latest player to fall victim to the ever-changing, inconsistent application of that rule.
During Sunday’s AFC divisional round matchup between the Bengals and Bills, it appeared that Chase made a phenomenal touchdown catch at the back of the end zone through all the snow at Highmark Stadium.
While Chase did get both feet in bounds, the ball did appear to be moving through the final process of “completing the catch.” The play was reviewed, and the refs overturned the catch, calling it incomplete. The Bengals settled for a field goal.
Matt Milano forces the ball loose to prevent the TD.
📺: #CINvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/RqOcaBu1Zc pic.twitter.com/Y66X4uxf9z— NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2023
Now, it really did look like the ball was moving. But did Chase secure possession long enough for it to be a touchdown? It’s tough to say. The call on the field being touchdown probably should have been enough to have the play stand (even if it looked incomplete).
Still, fans could not agree at all about the overturn.
This was how Twitter reacted
I’ve got questions. https://t.co/6sI4PDheSE
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) January 22, 2023
I hadn't seen the replay until now, he takes 3 steps without conclusive evidence that he's losing control, what are we doing here that's a clear TD https://t.co/vt9Oa4KSzb
— Trenton Jocz (@TrentonJocz) January 22, 2023
Looks secure enough to call a touchdown https://t.co/kPJlttiClZ
— #ThePeoplesChamp⚡ (@SirRoddy_ReUp) January 22, 2023
The catch rule will always stink because it’s impossible to write a good one that isn’t just based on vibes
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) January 22, 2023
I mean. That's a catch. The NFL can tell me that's not a catch, but that's a catch.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 22, 2023
No amount of the booth explaining that that's not a catch will convince me. It was 100% secured while feet were in bounds twice. I don't think it's incomplete by any interpretation of the rule.
— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) January 22, 2023
NFL will zoom in 25x in 4k and slow down to .25 on replays of a catch but still use two 80-year-olds with a chain to guess on first downs. https://t.co/ma51lcvhEh
— Tony X (@soIoucity) January 22, 2023
I don't know if that was a catch or not. I do know that it wasn't obvious enough to overturn whatever the call on the field might be.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 22, 2023
Simplify the catch rules. No two rulings ever feel the same.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 22, 2023
I dunno what a catch is havent in years tbh https://t.co/U841HsDiEM
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) January 22, 2023
Roger Goodell explaining what a catch is pic.twitter.com/Nv9HrOLq55
— Tyler Reed (@tylerreed93) January 22, 2023
That’s not a catch. 🏈 is moving.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) January 22, 2023
We’ll honestly never know what a catch is at this point.
