We still don’t know what defines a catch in the NFL, and apparently, we still don’t know what the difference between a nice gadget play and illegal formation is, either.
The Baltimore Ravens trailed the Arizona Cardinals 26-18 and were driving late in the game on Monday night, when they were a victims of a poor call by the officials, who incorrectly penalized them for illegal formation.
The Ravens sent offensive lineman John Urschel out onto the field and he reported as eligible (as evidenced by him looking at the official and rubbing his number). Urschel caught a pass on a clever play that would’ve given the Ravens first-and-goal, but was called back due to a supposed illegal formation.
FOX Sports’ Mike Pereira said he thought Urschel reported as eligible, for what it’s worth.
I am very perplexed how the referee did not interpret that as reporting. He has to do it before entering the huddle, but he did.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 27, 2015
Baltimore never recovered after being pushed back to first-and-15. But that drive stalled partly because Joe Flacco isn’t elite, and partly because the refs blew another call.