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NFL officials field criticism for ruling on potential Ja’Marr Chase touchdown vs. Bills
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to fight their way back to the AFC championship game for a rematch against Kansas City Sunday, leading the Buffalo Bills 17-10 at the halfway point in the 3rd quarter in the Divisional round.
That lead could be more had officials ruled Cincinnati Bengals and former LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase held possession of the below play just 5 minutes before halftime. Instead, officials ruled Chase did not maintain control heading to the ground. Because of this, Cincinnati had to settle 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
Fans all over social media immediately pointed out that Chase was inbounds with possession and 3 steps, arguing it should have indeed been called a catch. In the process, the unpopular ruling wiped Chase’s 2nd touchdown of the day off the board.
We’ve heard this plenty of times before, debating seemingly every other week what is and is not a catch in the NFL. This play adds yet another chapter to the saga.
This is a catch in the regular season because every week they make the point that the end zone is different than the rest of the field. Very excited for them to decide that doesn’t matter now
— Colm (@ColeyMick) 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
My problem is… you can catch it, have two feet down, control it, but if it moves as you hit the ground… no catch. You place one inch of the ball over the line, and then fumble the ball, or never advance beyond that… touchdown.
— Jacob Hester (@JacobHester18) 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
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
it was a catch
— Buffalo Wild Wings (@BWWings) January 22, 2023
Four steps inbounds and still not a catch. Just incredible
— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) January 22, 2023
I’ll be honest: I have no idea what is & isn’t a catch
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 22, 2023
NFL has made what they deem a catch into rocket science ??♂️
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) January 22, 2023
If they overturn that it’ll mar this game forever lol. That is a catch. And no way it’s indisputable
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 22, 2023
Three feet down and a turn upfield has been a catch all season. So I guess we’re doing this #CatchOrNoCatch thing again, @NFLOfficiating.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 22, 2023
What do you think? Catch or no catch?
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
