AI finally ends the Dez Bryant catch debate in Packers-Cowboys playoff game

Dez Bryant didn't catch it. We all know that. Yet the debate goes on.

It's a reference, of course, to the Green Bay Packers' divisional round victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the 2014 season.

With the Packers up 26-21 with only minutes remaining, Tony Romo appeared to complete a 31-yard pass to Bryant on fourth-and-2. Crucially, it would've set the Cowboys up with first-and-goal from the Packers' 1-yard line with a chance to score a game-winning touchdown.

Instead, officials overturned the decision as Bryant didn't have full control of the football as he hit the ground. It was a controversial moment that's still talked about to this day. The Packers took over on downs and ran down the clock to eliminate the Cowboys.

Was it a catch? Were the officials right? We asked AI to settle the debate.

AI finally settles the Dez Bryant catch debate in Packers-Cowboys playoff matchup

Packers fans say it's a catch. Cowboys fans disagree. Mike McCarthy has no idea what to say.

So, we asked ChatGPT to settle the debate. Was it a catch? Here is AI's answer:

"The ruling on the field that Dez Bryant did not maintain control of the ball throughout the entire process of the catch, leading to the play being overturned and ruled incomplete, was consistent with the catch rules in the NFL at that time. According to the rule in place at the time, a receiver had to maintain control of the ball throughout the entire process of the catch, including going to the ground.

In the case of Dez Bryant's catch, it was determined that he did not maintain control of the ball as he went to the ground. The ball came loose when it made contact with the ground, which led to the officials ruling it incomplete upon review. From the perspective of the rule in place at the time, the call was technically correct."

- ChatGPT

There we go. Debate over. Dez Bryant didn't catch it.

What's forgotten in this conversation is that even had the Cowboys scored a touchdown, the Packers still had time to win the game.

Following the turnover on downs, Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to the Cowboys' 31-yard line in nine plays, wiping out the remaining four minutes of the contest. Had Dallas scored a go-ahead touchdown, Green Bay would have had enough time to level or win the game.

The Packers would've needed a field goal to either win or, at worst, tie if the Cowboys had converted the two-point try.

But none of that mattered. Dez Bryant didn't catch it, and AI has confirmed it.

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