Hey, NFL: What’s a catch?
Football fans are once again scratching their heads over what exactly defines a catch. This confusion was spotlighted when a controversial interception knocked the Buffalo Bills out of the playoffs in a nail-biting 33-30 loss to the Denver Broncos. The moment came in overtime when Josh Allen threw a deep pass to Brandin Cooks. Ja’Quan McMillian snagged the ball before Cooks hit the ground, leading to an official ruling of an interception.
Referee Carl Cheffers explained, “The defender gained possession during the process of the catch.” Coach Sean McDermott was understandably frustrated, especially since he couldn’t challenge the ruling due to overtime rules. He used a timeout only to get an explanation, but it felt like the play was already decided.
McDermott said, “This is not about losing; it’s about making sure we honor the players who spent hours preparing.” His point highlights the grueling effort teams put into each game. Yet, the catch rule still leaves many confused.
Opinions vary on whether the ruling was correct. Retired cornerback Richard Sherman, along with ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, voiced their surprise on social media, arguing that contested catches are typically ruled in favor of the receiver. Such discrepancies in rulings have left fans puzzled.
Similar situations have occurred in past games. For instance, a controversial play in a Ravens-Steelers matchup earlier this season saw a similar outcome when a quarterback was initially judged to have lost control of the ball but later was determined to have maintained it. Contrast that to a Rams game where a defensive player made an interception while the receiver was going down, despite questions about possession.
Historically, this isn’t the first time the NFL has faced scrutiny over catch calls in crucial moments. One notable example was the “Dez Bryant catch” during the 2015 playoffs, where a catch was overturned, leading to a rules overhaul. The term “survive the ground” was eventually removed from the catch definition.
The official definition of a catch includes a few key points: a player must secure control of the ball before it hits the ground, be in bounds, and perform an action typical in catching. Still, the complexity of these criteria often leads to confusion. Even experienced analysts debate the calls, especially in high-stakes games.
The NFL’s struggle with defining a catch reflects broader questions about fairness in sports. As the league continues evolving, fans and players alike hope for clearer, more consistent officiating to honor the integrity of the game. A catch might seem straightforward, but as we’ve seen, it can change the course of playoff history.
For more on NFL developments, you can check out AP NFL coverage here.
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JaQuan McMillian, Brandin Cooks, Dez Bryant, Sean McDermott, Cade Otton, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, Football, Buffalo Bills, Sports officiating, Denver Broncos, NFL, CO State Wire, Colorado, New York, National Basketball Association, Teddye Buchanan, Mark Butterworth, Richard Sherman, Sports, Carl Cheffers, NFL football, Tony Romo, Cobie Durant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Dan Orlovsky
