Time To Add Pass Interference As A Reviewable Play In The NFL

By Jordan Long

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Atlanta Falcons 26-24 on Sunday. The Seahawks improved their record to 4-1 while the Falcons dropped to 4-2. There was a critical missed call at the end of the game. The Falcons were trying to drive for a game winning field goal. On 4th and 10 with 1:39 left in the game at the Atlanta 25 yard line, Matt Ryan threw the ball to Julio Jones. He dropped it but was clearly interfered with by Richard Sherman who grabbed his right arm and prevented Julio from catching the ball. No flag was thrown on the play. The ball went back to the Seahawks who ran the clock out.

According to ESPN.com, Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones said, “Before I took off, [Sherman] grabbed my right side and spun me around before I jumped up. But it was just a missed call. It’s over with. It’s done. We’re on to the next right now.” It is time for the NFL to expand replay for pass interference similar to the Canadian Football League.

In the NFL, teams can’t challenge most penalties. The only ones allowed are if they feel there were more than 11 players on the field or if the quarterback threw the ball after he ran over the line of scrimmage.

In the Canadian Football League, coaches can challenge a play if they feel a player committed pass interference and it wasn’t called. They can also do it if they believe the pass interference was not committed even though the referees threw the flag.

The NFL needs to add pass interference to be a reviewable play. The whole idea of replay is to get the calls right. I know a lot of the time pass interference doesn’t decide the outcome of a game, but it might have on Sunday. They flat out missed the call. If the NFL allowed the refs to review the play, the Falcons would have retained the ball and had a chance for a game winning field goal. The NFL has the technology for it, so why not use it? The NFL must take a long hard look and add pass interference so another game won’t be decided by a missed pass interference call.

How should the NFL expand instant replay for pass interference?

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