After what we saw in last season’s NFC Championship Game, you knew what happened today was inevitable. The NFL has now made pass interference a reviewable play.
According to the NFL, any pass interference (offensive or defensive), called or not called, can be reviewed by replay. Coaches will still be allowed two challenges, and just like in previous years, if both challenges are successful, teams will get a third challenge.
Last season, in the NFC Championship Game, the Saints’ Drew Brees tried to connect with Tommylee Lewis, but before Lewis could make the reception, he was hit by the Rams’ Nickell Robey-Coleman, which appeared to be a blatant pass interference call, but no flags were thrown. This no-call caused a huge uproar and is the main reason pass interference is now a reviewable play.
Here are the following plays that can be reviewed:
ARTICLE 5. REVIEWABLE PLAYS. The Replay System will cover the following play situations:
(a) Plays involving possession.
(b) Plays involving touching of either the ball or the ground.
(c) Plays governed by the goal line.
(d) Plays governed by the boundary lines.
(e) Plays governed by the line of scrimmage.
(f) Plays governed by the line to gain.
(g) Number of players on the field at the snap, even when a foul is not called.
(h) Game administration:
(1) Penalty enforcement.
(2) Proper down.
(3) Spot of a foul.
(4) Status of the game clock.
(i) Disqualification of a player.
(j) Pass interference, called or not called (offensive or defensive) (See Rule 8, Section 5, Articles 1-4).
