WATCH: “Great catch by the ground” – NFL fans ANGRY with refs for calling Davante Adams’ spectacular 45-yard first down to take the game into OT a fair catch
Ava Hudson
Updated on March 31, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders, led by backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, put up a hell of a fight against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The teams were tied at the end of the fourth quarter and the game went into overtime, where the 49ers won the game with a 23-yard field goal in overtime. With their starting quarterback Derek Carr on the bench, the Raiders were playing with their backup, Stidham, who quickly rose to the occasion.
Jarrett Stidham, 26, got his first career start after the Raiders decided to bench Carr for the remaining two games of the regular season. Stidham dominated right from the get-go and ended the night, completing 23 of 34 passes for 365 yards, three touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Fellow Raiders commended his stellar performance, and he earned their respect.
“We’ve got to find a way to help him — protect a little longer, catch a few more balls and get a few more first downs, a few more points, and it could have been a dream situation for him, too,” said Davante Adams in the post-game interview.
Tight end Darren Waller also praised the young QB for his performance. “When everybody was just learning things — what does this word mean? what does that word mean? — Jarrett … was pointing guys in different directions and was operating with confidence back then,” said Waller.
Davante Adams’ 45-yard diving catch wasn’t enough to win the game
While Stidham was undoubtedly the star of the night for the Raiders, wideout Davante Adams also shared the spotlight. The 30-year-old receiver proved that he was the best WR in the league and he didn’t need a big-name quarterback to help him reach that spot. Adams caught seven passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. In doing so, he broke Hall of Fame receiver Tim Brown’s franchise single-season receiving yards record of 1408 yards set back in 1997.
The changing point for the Raiders was Davante Adams’ spectacular 45-yard diving catch in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. The Raiders were 27-34 in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and needed a touchdown to take the game into OT. On first down and 20, Stidham aired it deep down the field to Adams who somehow managed to catch the ball and secure the first down. This catch changed the narrative of the game but it did attract a lot of ire from the fans.
The ruling on the field was the first down, but the officials had to take a closer look at the catch to determine whether the ball touched the ground or not. Finally, after a few minutes of discussion, the ruling on the field stood, and the Raiders got a chance to score that much need 6 points. Everyone was confounded as to how Adams was able to make the seemingly impossible catch, but that’s what makes him the best receiver in the league.
Fans were divided into two groups, as some believed it was not a catch, and others defended the receiver, stating that his foreman covered the ball as he fell on the ground. While it did look from some angles that the ball touched the ground, the official declared that it was a fair catch, which angered the fans.
Y’all saying not a catch need a eye examination his forearm was under the ball 🤦🏻♂️
— Talha Qureshi (@talhaqureshi510) January 2, 2023
It definitely hit the ground but still a remarkable effort
— SeeSawRrr 🔜 Countdown NYE (@SeeSawRrr) January 2, 2023
What a blown call by the refs
— Wreckedgoat (@wreckedgoat) January 2, 2023
His right hand was clearly on top of the ball pushing it into the ground. Not a catch!!!!!!!
— Randy (husband/father) (@Renoconser) January 2, 2023
Definition of catch sure has changed since i was a kid
— Kian Ameli (@KianAmeli) January 2, 2023
Davante Adams didn’t get the start that he hoped for in Las Vegas as he was reunited with his Fresno State QB Derek Carr. While the team underperformed, Adams has had a great season with 14 touchdown receptions and 1443 yards and is well on his way to breaking his career-best stat of 1,533 receiving yards during his stint with the Green Bay Packers.
