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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Andrew Joseph

Officials handed the Broncos a baffling first down after overruling an obvious incomplete pass against the Falcons

We’re nearing 2025, and the NFL still doesn’t know what a catch is.

After going down 15 points at halftime against the Broncos, the Falcons defense needed to show some signs of life in the second half to turn things around. And briefly, it appeared that Atlanta did just that.

Denver opted to go for it on fourth-and-short from the Atlanta 38 over kicking the field goal. And when Bo Nix’s pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey hit the turf, it looked like the Falcons got the stop they needed.

Yet, in an absolutely wild replay decision, the officials ruled that Humphrey had full possession and fumbled, recovering his own fumble for a first down.

I mean, how?

Even in slow-motion replay, Humphrey had the ball swatted away almost immediately. When Fox brought in rules expert Mike Pereira to discuss the decision, even he was confused about how the officials overruled the call on the field. It simply should not have been a catch.

To make matters worse for Atlanta, the Broncos capitalized on the call and finished the drive with a touchdown. It was that kind of afternoon for the Falcons.

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