Whether or not Xavier Worthy made the catch on the second-quarter pass that appeared to hit the ground after removing it from a Bills defender depends on who's answering the question.
The decision was the first major call that went the way of the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game between Buffalo and Kansas City on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Late in the first half, quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a deep pass into coverage that appeared to be picked off by Bills safety Cole Bishop, but somehow came up with the ball.
While the feat was impressive, it wasn't without controversy, as the balls appeared to hit the ground without merit – or were still fighting for possession when they came down. Bishop had complete possession of the ball.
After review, the refs determined it was a catch, placing the Chiefs at the six-yard line.
According to the NFL rulebook, “The ball belongs to the passer if the pass is caught by two eligible opponents at the same time and both players have possession of it. , if the opponent subsequently gains joint control, it is not a simultaneous catch. If the ball is muffled after two such players touch at the same time, all players on the passing team are entitled to catch the loose ball. there is.”
Any hopes of an interception would have been negated anyway since Damar Hamlin was being asked to hold the play.
Conspiracy theories abound, as do those involving chiefs.
This play allowed the Chiefs to score quickly and easily to extend their lead to 21-10 at that point.
The entire play seemed to embarrass the CBS broadcast crew calling the game.
“That ball hits…I can see it because you can't completely say no, but that ball hits (the ground),” said analyst Tony. Romo said, struggling to understand what he was seeing.
And football fans watching at home don't seem to agree with the ruling that it was a catch.
“The Chief could have been bailed out again…” 1 person wrote to X.
“Apparently, when you play for the Chiefs, you're allowed to put your hands up and catch it off the ground, but it's still important. Other teams don't get this call.” another person rang.
“The NFL is an embarrassment to call this a catch. So you guys are incredibly equipped to win every time.” Written by a third party.
Mahomes capped the drive with a 1-yard scramble for a touchdown to give the Chiefs a 21-10 with 1:44 left in the first half.
