LOOK: Odell Beckham drops and traps ball but the refs give him a catch
The catch rule is confusing, but we should all be able to agree on this one
Every NFL fan knows the league's catch rule is basically impossible to interpret. Nobody knows from week to week what will be called a catch and what won't. There's something about completing the process of the catch or making a football move or becoming a runner or some other nonsense, and none of it makes any sense.
But at the very least, I think we can all agree that when a receiver drops the ball on the ground, then traps it behind his legs, it is not a catch. At least, I thought we could agree on that before Sunday's Lions-Giants game and this play involving Odell Beckham Jr.
This "catch" by Odell Beckham Jr. was a really bad call. https://t.co/6XLRxW7GyPpic.twitter.com/tKGaFvts4r
— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) December 18, 2016
The refs gave the Giants a catch on this play. This is the ball on the ground pic.twitter.com/079gjv0bUe
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) December 18, 2016
Yes, this play really was called a catch. I'm just as confused as you are.
This is not a questionable call or a close call or an interpretation or anything like that. This is a ball straight-up dropped on the ground, then trapped against a player's legs. It's fairly obvious the ball hit the ground, too. Pretty plain to see to anyone with eyes. And yet, a catch.
Amazingly, the Lions didn't challenge the play. It was only a 4-yard gain, so they decided it wasn't worth burning one of their two challenges. Either that, or Jim Caldwell thought it was a catch, too.
















