The Washington Commanders defeated the Chicago Bears 18-15 on Sunday in one of the most thrilling NFL finishes in years. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ Hail Mary into the end zone landed in the waiting arms of Noah Brown to give Washington the shocking win.
While Chicago fans will lament blowing the game on the Hail Mary, the Commanders had several opportunities to put the game away long before the fourth quarter.
Up 6-0 with over five minutes remaining in the first half, Daniels found tight end Zach Ertz in the front corner of the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. However, officials ruled it incomplete. The Commanders challenged the ball but lost.
Judge for yourself:
Refs ruled this Zach Ertz an incomplete pass. Commanders have challenged the call. #CHIvsWAS pic.twitter.com/cmmDtXNv2F
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) October 27, 2024
If they had ruled it complete on the field, this was one of those calls that probably remained a touchdown. After the game, Nicki Jhabvala asked NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth about the controversial call.
“The ruling on the field was an incomplete pass,” Butterworth said. “After the challenge flag was thrown, for us to overturn it, we needed clear and obvious video evidence that he actually had control of the ball before it hit the ground. When the ball came to the ground, we had hand separation off of the ball, therefore it’s an incomplete pass.”
He provided further clarification.
“There were two different angles used, and he didn’t have his hand completely under the ball,” Butterworth replied. “And then you look at right after the hand and ball had contact with the ground, his hands were off the ball momentarily.”
The NFL created this problem, and fans have been confused ever since. It’s not just fans, but players and coaches have admitted over the years they aren’t even sure what a catch is anymore. By the current rules, the NFL probably got it right, at least sticking by its initial call. However, if it were ruled a touchdown, things would’ve been much more interesting.
