Los Angeles Chargers star and leader Derwin James went up and grabbed a critical interception in the endzone during the third quarter of his team’s playoff game against the Houston Texans.
With his team down 10-6, James soared and did exactly what he was supposed to do, making a game-changing play.
Then, officials overruled the interception upon review.
After the review, officials ruled that James’ catch didn’t “survive the ground” as he fell, which the CBS broadcast’s rules analyst agreed with when asked.
Luckily for the Chargers, a personal foul on Texans running back Joe Mixon still applied to the play, making it a second-and-30 attempt when the Charger's defense took the field again. That drive eventually fizzled and was only a three-point swing after Houston settled for a field goal to make it 13-6.
DERWIN JAMES = CLUTCH pic.twitter.com/umUatLAg3b
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 11, 2025
I agree Derwin James *probably* didn’t catch that football but which one of those angles was supposed to have been definitive?
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 11, 2025
The ball can contact the ground and you still have a ruling of a catch, however, it must be under the player's control and not assist him in completing the process.
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) January 11, 2025
In #LACvsHOU, when the ball contacts the ground it is clearly loose and out of Derwin James' control.
This is a… https://t.co/quNziIg51k
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/chargers/ as Chargers robbed on overturned Derwin James interception vs. Texans.