Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) makes a catch while defended by Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) during the second quarter of an AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

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

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 1/22/23

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?

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/060kDJhJ85
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 22, 2023

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.

As Ja'Marr Chase went to the ground, the ball was moving and not in his control. Good overturn. pic.twitter.com/r4iyjIGIpP
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) January 22, 2023

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.
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
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 22, 2023

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.

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