Was Olive down?

I believe he was not. He was not touched once he gained possession of the ball.

However, he could have been seen as "giving himself up" I guess. If the Panthers player had recovered it, I bet there would have been a review.

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Yes, he went to the ground with contact from the defender.

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But had not gained control of the ball, once he did he was not touched. What is the rule in that context?

I don't think he was, but the Carolina DB tarded around with the ball and knocked it out of bounds anyway, I believe.

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However, he could have been seen as "giving himself up" I guess. If the Panthers player had recovered it, I bet there would have been a review.

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I assumed a whistle may have blown which is why the DB reacted like he did and wasn't exactly sure what to do.

Would have been illegal forward pass and not a fumble anyway.

I hate olives

NFL Down by contact:

When a player with possession of the ball is made to touch the ground (other than hands or feet) by a defensive player; for example, if the ball-carrier slips and falls, he can get up and continue, but if he was pushed by a defensive player, he is said to be down by contact and the play is dead.

Actually is was really close. The DB’s leg barely skimmed him. He should not have gotten up and spiked the ball. Great play tho.

To the person asking how is it a question...Yes he was bumped on his way to the ground, but he clearly did not make the catch until after contact.

You make it sound like a guy getting jammed off the line and then dives to make a grab is instantly down.

I do not think he was touched while on the ground...cannot say if a whistle was blowing.

This has happened several times in the past few years. An intentional celebratory spike like that after going down is considered “giving yourself up” and the play is dead, it’s not a fumble.