Dez Bryant Non-Catch Proves NFL Must Make Big Rule Changes This Offseason

The Dallas Cowboys were one game away from traveling up to Seattle to take on the Seahawks in the NFC title game. They were one game away from getting a shot to play in Super Bowl XLIX.

Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed, thanks to one of the most insidious rules in all of professional football.

Dallas' battle with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field ended with a controversial call. With four minutes, 42 seconds left to go on a chilly afternoon, Tony Romo and the Cowboys tried to change the complexion of the game.

Down 26-21 and facing a 4th-and-2, Romo singled out his favorite target, Dez Bryant, in one-on-one coverage. Romo's pass wasn't perfect, but the athletic Bryant managed to soar over Packers cornerback Sam Shields and come down with what appeared to be a highlight-reel grab.

NFL.com provided video of the "catch."

Bryant's grab was heroic. It was game-changing. It was everything the Cowboys needed to get to the NFC Championship Game.

Expect it wasn't.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy threw out the challenge flag, questioning whether or not Bryant actually completed the "process" of the catch.

Upon further review, referee Gene Steratore and the crew in New York City reversed the call on the field. They said that Bryant never made a "football move" before he lost possession of the ball.

Because of that call, Green Bay took over on downs.

Before we delve any further into the situation, ESPN's flagship program SportsCenter tweeted out an amazing piece of information: The last "non-catch" fans were furious about was also reversed by Steratore:

After the reversal, Aaron Rodgers was able to keep the clock moving, and that was all it took to bring the Cowboys' 2014 season to a sudden and shocking close.

A powerful debate will rage on well into the offseason about what we saw transpire at the end of this game. Was it a catch? Was it not a catch?

Bryant certainly thought it was. Per Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Bleacher Report, No. 88 was adamant about that fact in the locker room:

Based on the current set of NFL rules, the call made on the field was the correct one. Again, SportsCenter's official Twitter account posted the exact text put forth by the league:

In the minds of Steratore and the guys posted up at NFL headquarters in New York, the football hitting the ground at the end of the catch negated anything else. Forget the fact that Bryant took about three steps in the field of play with complete control of the ball.

Did the pigskin even hit the ground? Possibly. But it wasn't that cut and dry. ESPN sent out this picture showing the moment of impact:

The fact that there was any debate over this proves that the NFL has to make changes to its rulebook this offseason. We can't disregard an entire game because of one questionable play.

Peter King of SI.com's The MMQB even brought up the fact that this specific rule has been a problem for a long time:

Sometimes, it takes a major incident in order to strike up change.

What was once known as the "Calvin Johnson Rule" is now so much more. It's a rule that directly affected the outcome of a playoff game, similar to the "Tuck Rule." Perhaps it will follow in the footsteps of the "Tuck Rule" and be eradicated.

There has to be clarity and transparency when it comes to catching the football. It shouldn't be that difficult to judge. A catch is a catch.

Even Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson expressed sorrow for Bryant, via ESPN's Ed Werder:

This is a chance for the NFL to do something good. It's a chance for the organization to finally get it right. Get rid of the porous rule and move forward in a concise and cohesive manner.

In fact, why not just rewrite the rule?

The "process" of making a catch is such a convoluted mess right now. Not only does a pass-catcher have to come down with the football and have full control, but he also has to make a "football move" and maintain possession all the way to the ground.

There's way too much going on there. Sometimes in life, simplicity is king. If the receiver secures a pass, takes more than two steps and lands on the ground, it's a catch.

The officials should never be able to determine the outcome of games. The players and coaches on the field should always decide them.

Forget the rules for a second. Do me a favor and watch the clip posted above. If that's not a catch, I don't know what it is.

Unless noted otherwise, all game scores and information come courtesy of ESPN.com.