Bengals Fall to Ravens because of A Ridiculous Rule

            You would think that the NFL would learn from the drama of last year's Chicago Bears-Detroit Lions game where Calvin Johnson caught the game-winning touchdown in the final minute, but dropped the ball before the play was officially over. It was ruled incomplete and the Bears won. A similar situation occurred in Baltimore as each tick of the clock brought the game closer to ending in a Ravens win. Quarterback Andy Dalton threw a pass to tight end Jermaine Gresham, who bobbled the ball three or four times before controlling it, taking one step, and then a second, which put him in the endzone. However, when he fell to the ground, the ball slipped out of his grasp and hit the ground before he grabbed it again.

Courtesy of http://www.cincyjungle.com/2010/11/16/1818418/jermaine-gresham-nominated-for-rookie-of-the-week

            To most football fans, especially Bengals fans, the play appeared to be a completion and touchdown. Gresham caught the ball, made two steps in bounds, and the ball crossed the plane while under his control. He held on the entire way down until he hit the ground. Sadly there is nothing the league can do for the Bengals, but they definitely need to re-evaluate this rule in the offseason and find a way to modify it. The rule seems to imply that the wide receiver has to hold on to the football until he runs back to the bench. The rule is overkill, and led to the Bengals losing 31-24, after not scoring on their final drive. Andy Dalton got cheated out of a fourth quarter comeback and the Bengals got cheated out of a win.