Under new NFL catch rule, Jesse James' touchdown would've counted

The NFL has finally changed its much-maligned catch rule. If history is any indication, the alterations will have a dramatic impact next season. 

League owners unanimously approved the proposal Tuesday at the annual meetings. The new rules for defining a catch are as follows:

*Control of the ball*Two feet down or another body part*Completion of a football move (reaching for the goal line, third step)*The ability to perform a football move

The provision that requires receivers to maintain control of the football "through the ground" is now gone, meaning Steelers tight end Jesse James' touchdown catch against the Patriots last season would've counted. That means the Patriots likely would've lost that game, and maybe the No. 1 seed. 

From beginning to end from the Jesse James Catch. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/wRxrwPkYOR

While these changes should clear up most of the confusion, the judgment call about a receiver's "ability to perform a football move" is vague. It's easy to foresee officials dissecting replays to see if a receiver *could have* reached for the goal line or taken a third step, boring viewers into a comatose state.

But on the whole, this new rule should result in officials overturning less touchdowns. That's a good thing, unless it hurts your team, like it would've harmed the 2017 Patriots.