Super Bowl LVII was living up to the hype between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, but the game was developing a subplot that we’ve seen all too often this season involving the officiating.
This week’s problem: understanding what is a catch.
Devonta Smith had what appeared to be an incredible catch down the sidelines late in the first half overturned, but things were just getting started.
With the Eagles leading the Chiefs 24-21 in the third quarter, Jalen Hurts connected with Miles Sanders in the flat when he was hit hard and dropped the ball, resulting in Nick Bolton scooping the ball up for his second defensive touchdown of the day.
The ruling on the field was a catch and fumble, but the Eagles challenged the call. Upon further review, the play was overturned and resulted in an incomplete pass.
Later in the drive, Hurts connected with tight end Dallas Goedert on an incredible catch between two defenders. A replay showed that Goedert may have bobbled the ball, though, and it was unclear if he may have still had his back foot down while maintaining possession.
After the refs threw a late flag before the next snap, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid finally decided to challenge the catch. Except this time the call on the field stood as is.
Nevertheless, fans and media were angry that the officiating and vagueness over what is or is not a catch was becoming a focal point in the Super Bowl.
The drive ultimately resulted in the Eagles kicking a field goal to go up 27-21.
The Chiefs responded on the next possession to retake the lead, but regardless of how the game pans out one thing is clear: the debate over the catch rules and the way it is being interpreted by the officials will continue to be a main topic of conversation this offseason.
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