Officials continue to ignore the other ways to finish a catch, beyond taking a third step

The problem is that the officials now focus on the third foot as the litmus test for a catch, ignoring the other ways to complete the process of making a catch without taking a third step.

NFL officiating spokesman Walt Anderson essentially confirmed the third-step obsession after the Packers-Bears playoff game. By all appearances, that application continues — rulebook be damned.

According to Rule 8, Article 1, Section 3: "A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is inbounds: (a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and (b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and (c) after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, clearly performs any act common to the game (e.g., extend the ball forward, take an additional step, tuck the ball away and turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so."