NFL Officials Can Now Review Pass Interference
On Tuesday, NFL owners voted to approve a big expansion of the replay review system of the league following pressure from coaches and fans after the missed call for pass interference in the NFC Championship Game play in January.
For the 2019 season, offensive as well as defensive pass interference will be reviewable. These are the first penalties in the replay system of the NFL to be added to approved reviews. In addition, for the first time, non-interference calls can be challenged by coaches.
Replay officials in the booth will initiate the challenges during the final two minutes of both halves while coaches will still receive just two challenges each game, and would be awarded another if the first two were successful.
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, who is a member of the league’s competition committee, spoke aggressively both privately and publically during the NFL owners meetings this week to find a solution that could deal with official’s mistakes in the future.
Payton and the Saints lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the January 20th NFC Championship Game and a fourth quarter missed pass interference call was instrumental in allowing the Rams to rally and win the game.
Owners also voted to table a proposal that would guarantee both teams at least one possession in overtime.
A proposal was voted down from the Broncos to give a one-time opportunity during the fourth quarter to have fourth-and-15 on the 35-yard line rather that use onside kicks.
Blindside blocks were voted out, not only those to the neck and head area, to insure more safety during punts as well as other plays.
Unsportsmanlike or personal foul penalties following a scoring play can now be marked off for the extra point or the ensuing kickoff.
