Originally Posted by
Fox
No. 1
THE GAME: Detroit at Chicago
THE SITUATION: Detroit trails Chicago 19-14 with 24 seconds left in the game
THE PLAY: The Lions' Calvin Johnson catches a pass from Shaun Hill for what he thought was the go-ahead touchdown.
MY TAKE: See the video above or read my explanation below.
Upon further review, the play stands.
With the Lions trailing the Bears 19-14, Johnson leaped up to grab what he thought was a touchdown pass that would have given the Lions a 20-19 lead with 24 seconds left.
But even after Johnson came down with both feet in bounds, as he hit the ground, the ball popped loose and the ruling on the field was an incomplete pass, which was the correct call.
The booth review by the replay assistant confirmed the ruling and the play stood as called on the field.
Here's why: Rule 8, Section 1, Article 4.
A play from start to finish is a process. When you go to the ground, even after you've caught the ball, you have to maintain possession.
The rule states: If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball after he touches the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete.
MAKE THE CALL
Mike Pereira
Our rules expert Mike Pereira breaks down all the big decisions HERE.
So the play stood as called and the Bears held on to win, 19-14.
The onus is on the receiver to hold onto the ball even after he hits the ground.
Unfortunately for Johnson and the Lions, they found that out the hard way.