For all the confusion about what constitutes an NFL catch, everyone can look at the play above and confidently determine that Odell Beckham Jr. did not come close to controlling the football.

Or not. The referees awarded him the reception.

Since the four-yard catch occurred early in the first quarter, the Detroit Lions decided not to spend a coach's challenge. If they did, the officials would have overturned it and wondered how they missed that call in the first place.

They instead let the New York Giants wide receiver steal a phantom reception on the opening drive, which culminated in the game's first touchdown.



