NFL catch rule under scrutiny again after Ja'Marr Chase touchdown overturned
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.
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.
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.
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.
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