One of the greatest mysteries in the NFL is determining what is and isn't a catch. In Super Bowl LVII this was a big topic of discussion.
At critical points in the game, everybody's favourite debate was front and centre on a couple of big plays.
Before looking at the plays in question, here is an explanation of what is a complete and incomplete catch by NFL operations.
• The player secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground.
• The secured ball touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands.
• After the first two actions have been completed and the player performs any "football" act (tuck the ball away, extend it forward, take an additional step, turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.
So with those parameters in mind, this is how both plays appeared to be judged.
DeVonta Smith circus catch overturned
At first, it looked like DeVonta Smith made the play of the game securing the ball along the sidelines with his helmet. However, since the play was made in the final two minutes of the half, a review was initiated by the command centre.
It was determined that when Smith hit the ground the ball moved enough that he did not secure possession inbounds.
The debate was that the officials on the field ruled the play as a catch, then overturned it on review, so there had to be suitable evidence to overturn the call.
Of course, many remember in the NFC Championship Game when Smith made an incredible catch against the San Francisco 49ers on fourth down to set up a touchdown. Unfortunately for the 49ers, a review showed that Smith clearly lost control of the ball as he crashed into the turf—the play should have been called an incompletion.
San Francisco wasn't able to challenge it as Philadelphia rushed to the line to get the next play off.
Dallas Goedert keeps drive alive with great catch
On third down, Jalen Hurts was looking for one of his many trusty weapons to make a play and Dallas Goedert delivered, or so we think?
It was another case of whether the Eagles player secured the ball while remaining in bounds, and of course, there was a lot of debate. After the Chiefs challenged the play, the officials confirmed the ruling on the field, and that was a catch.
What made this different than the play involving Smith was that Goedert was able to keep his initial foot down while securing the ball after bobbling it and getting the second foot down.
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