I have a problem with how they have been doing the going to the ground in the process of a catch rule lately.
The game before this one, Finley caught a ball with his knee on the ground. He was hit and knocked to the ground, where he lost the ball. My understanding is that he was down by contact before he hit the ground. They called it an incompletion. Which I believe is a wrong interpretation but at least consistent with the Johnson catch last year.
This week I saw 2 they ruled the other way.
The lions receiver caught the ball, got two feet down and before making a "football related move" was taken to the ground where the ball was jarred lose and the defender wrested the ball away. They called him down by contact when the contact with the ground obviously cause the ball to become dislodged and therefor a free ball. Since the ball itself didn't hit the ground.
The other was the Johnson catch on the sideline. Johnson got both feet down and stepped out of bounds going to the ground where he bobbled it. He was already out of bounds when he regained control of the ball and should have been called out.
I have watched many game where a WR gets both feet in, takes 2 steps out of bounds and then goes down losing control of the ball being called incomplete. Why the difference with Johnson? Why the difference in them middle of the field?
I am not complaining about the fact we got screwed on a call or that the officials blew it. I am complaining about the fact that the replay failed to be called consistently. The League backed up the failure on the Johnson call against the Bears last year. My guess is they will back up contradictory calls this time.
This is horrible inconsistency by the officiating. They need fix that rule.
I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.