In a typical game, the Baltimore Ravens played the Pittsburgh Steelers. A series of blown calls and a controversial refereeing decision knocked the Ravens out of the playoff race. The incident unfolded late in the fourth quarter when Isaiah Likely made a 13-yard catch from quarterback Lamar Jackson that was initially ruled a touchdown, which would have given the Ravens a narrow one-point lead with just 2:43 remaining in the game.
The play seemed to put the Ravens in a favorable position, but the excitement quickly dissipated as the referees reviewed the call. In a shocking twist, referee Alex Moore took to the mic to say that the touchdown had been reversed and ruled an incompletion. The decision shocked the Ravens and NFL community. It had a huge impact on their playoff chances and they were shocked that it was so.
Isaiah Likely’s reception seemed like a foregone conclusion as he reeled in the turnover-terminated pass in the end zone. As he tried to secure the catch, he lost control of the ball upon hitting the turf. The referee reasoned through the entire play in slow motion. His conclusion was that Likely hadn’t “survived the ground,” which is a key requirement for a catch to be considered complete under NFL rules.
You can bet coach John Harbaugh wasn’t happy with the overturned call. So from that standpoint, while I thought the initial ruling was incorrect, I didn’t fight that ruling once the fallout happened.
“When you’re making a catch, you have to survive the ground. He didn’t survive the ground,” – John Harbaugh
The consequences of this now infamous officiating decision were not overlooked by the club. Following their loss against their division rivals, the Ravens’ playoff odds dropped to just 31%. This sharp fall-off is a testament to the importance of pivotal game moments on a team’s long-term outlook.
Most importantly, probably accepted the result of the call and communicated his approval of the referees’ decision.
“And we have to live with what the referees say at the end of the day,” – Isaiah Likely
Figuring out a catch in football has been the trigger point for many a passionate argument. That’s particularly the case in high-pressure, high-stakes situations like this one. The official guidelines stipulate that control of the ball is paramount, followed by ensuring that two feet or another body part is in bounds. In Likely’s case, he clearly satisfied the second requirement. He didn’t control the ball when he landed.
“The control is the first aspect of the catch,” – [no source]
“The second aspect is two feet or a body part in bounds, which he did have. Then, the third step is an act common to the game and before he could get the third foot down, the ball was ripped out. Therefore, it was an incomplete pass.” – [no source]
As this incident unfolds and discussions about officiating standards continue, it serves as a reminder of how critical split-second decisions can be in professional sports. The Ravens’ path to even reaching the playoffs is now daunting. Their season, once the envy of the league, has hit hard times.
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