Why was Tee Higgins’ touchdown overturned in Bengals vs. Jets? NFL’s nebulous catch rule strikes again

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One of the NFL’s more nebulous rules struck again in the Sunday meeting between the Bengals and Jets.

Naturally, we’re referring to catch rules and all the myriad actions and positions a pass-catcher must undergo to complete one, particularly when the sideline and end zone is concerned.

The subject of this week’s discussion: Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, who appeared to have a toe-dragging touchdown in the back of the end zone to give Cincinnati a 7-0 lead over New York in the first quarter. The Jets challenged the call on the field, however, resulting in an overturned play.

Here’s a slow-motion recap of Higgins’ non-catch:

And a still shot. 

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Officials ruled that, despite the fact Higgins got the toes of both feet down inside the end zone, the fact that his heels touched out of bounds negated the touchdown. That brings up the question:

What exactly are the NFL rules regarding a catch? Unsurprisingly, the league’s official verbiage of the rule (Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3, concerning “completed or intercepted pass:) does not specify toes in vs. heels out.

Per the NFL, a player completes a catch or interception along the sideline if he:

  • secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
  • touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
  • after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, performs any act common to the game (e.g., tuck the ball away, extend it forward, take an additional step, turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.

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So why was Higgins’ touchdown overturned when he clearly got both feet inbounds? Because the NFL, despite not specifying it in the rulebook, claims that any part of the foot that touches out of bounds results in an incompletion — even if the feet are down in bounds first.

As specified by Football Zebras, the NFL considers “the entire step of the foot.” So, it’s a catch if the whole part of the foot was established inbounds before exiting the field of play (such as toe-dragging). If the foot touches at the toes without moving out of bounds —instead landing on the heels out of bounds — then the entire step of the foot is considered out of bounds.

Thus, Higgins’ catch did not count. No matter for Bengals fans: A play later, quarterback Joe Burrow connected with running back Samaje Perine for 12 yards and a score to take a 7-0 lead.

Fantasy football owners, however, might not be satisfied with the explanation.

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