At this point, what even is a catch? <\/p>\n
After Saturday saw a 50-50 ball go in favor of the defense<\/a>, with Broncos cornerback Ja\u2019Quan McMillan being awarded an interception after wrestling free a ball from Brandin Cooks during Denver\u2019s AFC divisional round win, an eerily similar moment occurred during the Bears-Rams game on Sunday. <\/p>\n Officials determined that the receiver, Davante Adams, had secured possession of the ball and was down by contact before the ball was pried free. It seemed a reasonable call at surface level, but when comparing the play to what occurred on Saturday, things get a bit more complicated.<\/p>\n The decision to rule it a catch and state that Adams was down by contact re-opened the debate about the NFL\u2019s catch rule. Some members of the football world acknowledged the pain of Bills fans, who are probably still feeling like they got a bit screwed over, while others said the plays were completely different.<\/p>\n How is this davante Adams catch different than the Brandin cooks play . If anything the bears db had more possession than the broncos player yesterday pic.twitter.com\/uoUJ4VO9kD<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 John (@iam_johnw) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n I think Davante Adams had that and was down. But after yesterday, who the hell knows?<\/p>\n \u2014 Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Brandin Cooks didn\u2019t have possession. <\/p>\n Davante Adams did. <\/p>\n Make it make sense. pic.twitter.com\/RDrtC6fglF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Nic Costello (@costello_nic) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n That Davante catch actually shows the ridiculousness in folks acting like Cooks ever actually caught the ball last night. <\/p>\n The Cooks \u201ccatch\u201d was nothing like Davante\u2019s catch, most notably because Cooks never actually caught it.<\/p>\n \u2014 nick wright (@getnickwright) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Before any Bills fans try using this Davante Adams catch as proof that they were robbed last night, no, they are not remotely similar plays.<\/p>\n \u2014 Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Bills fans seeing that Davante Adams catch\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/T7AfLXwHTN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n This catch by Davante Adams was ruled complete in the Rams – Bears game\u2026<\/p>\n This SAME PLAY was ruled an interception in the Bills – Broncos game\u2026 \ud83e\udd76<\/p>\n These NFL Refs are so inconsistent\u2026 <\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/lTRQrPHGHi<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mikerophone (@MikerophoneNFL) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n how was this davante adams play ruled a catch immediately but the bills was a pick??????? pic.twitter.com\/c2FnefcGuP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 michael mancuso (@migmancuso) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n This debate doesn\u2019t seem likely to dissipate anytime soon, as a pair of controversial rulings in critical moments have sprung the definition of a catch back into the limelight for the NFL. <\/p>\n More NFL on Sports Illustrated