Ravens' John Harbaugh calls NFL catch rule 'as clear as mud' after overturned touchdown leads to crucial loss

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The Baltimore Ravens believed they had the go-ahead touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial AFC North matchup at home on Sunday, as Isaiah Likely secured a Lamar Jackson pass in the end zone.

However, the play was ruled an incompletion after Likely had the ball knocked out of his hands by cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

While the Ravens believed Likely already had the ball secured and across the goal line, the officials overturned the play after initially calling it a score. The reason? NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth explained in a pool report after the Ravens’ 27-22 loss.

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Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

"The receiver controlled the ball in the air, had his right foot down, then his left foot down," Butterworth said, via a pool report. "The control is the first aspect of the catch. The second aspect is two feet or a body part in bounds, which he did have. Then, the third step is an act common to the game and before he could get the third foot down, the ball was ripped out. Therefore, it was an incomplete pass."

After letting the play sit for a day, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh still doesn’t like the answer as to why his team didn’t get the lead with just under three minutes to play.

QUESTIONABLE CALL TAKES CRUCIAL