4.40 remaining on the clock, Dez Bryant makes a catch and Dallas are all set to beat the Packers in Lambeau Field. Or not. Mike McCarthy challenges the original call, it's reviewed, it's overturned and the Packers go to through to the NFC Championship game.
Take a look.
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When is a catch not a catch? When is a fumble not a fumble? That's all too philosophical for us so we'll leave it up the NFL rulebook.
If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball after he touches the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete.
Prevailing wisdom seems to be that according to the letter of the law, the final decision was correct. However, people are none to pleased with the rule.
At what point did he not have the ball though!!?
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 11, 2015
If the rule says Dez Bryant can take THREE steps after he possesses the ball & it's still NOT a catch...then the rule needs to be changed
— Erik Kuselias (@fantasyEK) January 11, 2015
I by no means cheer for Dallas but I have no idea what or how thts not called a catch . Thts a joke
— Odell Beckham Jr (@OBJ_3) January 11, 2015
It's a bad rule called properly, it seems, and it should be changed. Common sense says Dez Bryant caught the ball...Get rid of the rule...
— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) January 11, 2015
Can't believe they didn't give Dez Bryant that catch tho... Reaching for the goal line, that's called trying to make a play
— Darien Johnson (@DarienJ4) January 11, 2015
Bryant going to the ground. By rule he must hold onto it throughout entire process of contacting the ground. He didn't so it is incomplete.
— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) January 11, 2015
Last word with the Examiner's John Fogarty.
Dez Bryant. And the #GAA rulebook has problems.
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) January 11, 2015
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