Latest Look Settles Heated Rams-Bears Debate

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Robinson broke down the confusion by revisiting the NFL’s catch rule, which requires three elements: control of the ball, contact with the ground in bounds, and either a football move or control long enough to make one. The problem, as Robinson notes, is that the rulebook leaves “long enough” frustratingly undefined.

That gray area fueled debate over Brandin Cooks. Despite getting two feet and a knee down, Cooks was ruled to be “going to the ground” as part of the catch process and never made a football move. When the ball came loose immediately upon contact with the turf — and never touched the ground — officials awarded possession to Denver.

Robinson points out that, by rule, this sequence does not create a fumble scenario. Without possession being established, the defense can legally complete the interception if the ball stays off the ground.

Why Davante Adams Was Different — And Why It Matters for the Rams

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The Adams play, however, crossed a threshold Cooks never reached.

As Robinson explained, Adams didn’t just secure the ball and fall. He took an additional step — what officials often refer to as a “third foot” — before his knee hit the ground. That subtle detail is crucial. The extra step qualifies as a football move, which immediately establishes possession.

Once Adams’ knee touched down with control, he was down by contact. Anything that happened after — including the ball being stripped — was irrelevant to the ruling.

NFL rules analyst Terry McAulay echoed that conclusion during NBC’s broadcast, stating plainly: “He clearly completed the catch. He has it long enough, and his knee was down.”

From a Rams perspective, that confirmation matters. This wasn’t a gift from the officials or a makeup call from Saturday night’s controversy. It was the proper application of a rule that hinges on timing, not optics.

Why the Two Plays Looked the Same — But Weren’t

Robinson’s analysis also helps explain why fans struggled with the distinction. Both receivers appeared to secure the ball. Both went to the ground. Both lost possession quickly. But only Adams demonstrated possession before going to the ground.

That split-second difference — a third step, a brief tuck, a moment of balance — is the difference between being “down by contact” and never having possession at all.

It’s also why Joe Burrow’s blunt social media take resonated with league insiders, even if fans disagreed. As Robinson notes, the officials likely got both calls right, even if the rules themselves invite confusion.

A Call the Rams Will Happily Accept — And Defend

Could the NFL clarify this rule? Absolutely. Robinson cites Mike Sando’s observation that transparency has never been the league’s strong suit. Until that changes, these debates will continue.

But in this case, the Rams benefited not from inconsistency, but from execution. Davante Adams did just enough — and that “just enough” made all the difference.

For Los Angeles, the result stands. And according to one of the league’s most respected analysts, so does the call.