Nobdy signs up to watch “ref ball” on Sundays, but it seems like we can’t go a week in the NFL without the game being impacted by a controversial call.
I’m sure the Arizona Cardinals felt like they were robbed on a couple of offensive pass interference calls against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3. They were ticky-tack, but pale in comparison to what we watched on Sunday Night Football.
Karma came for the Los Angeles Rams, who were on the wrong side of a pass interference call against the Denver
Broncos. Rams cornerback Josh Wallace made an impressive play to intercept Bo Nix, but wide receiver Pat Bryant did his best NBA/World Cup impersonation, and flopped his way into a penalty on the defense, in what looked like an obvious offensive pass interference call after replay.
Kyle Shanahan wasn’t asked about this specific play, but he was asked what he thought about the experiment with challenging defensive pass interference years ago, and if the NFL should bring it back:
“I thought it was good going into it then because I’m always, regardless of what happens, I just want them to get it right. You just want it done right, and especially if you can see it on TV.
It sucks to have to live with the wrong way when you’re in the heat of battle on the field, which is what the challenge is for refs, challenge for everybody.
So, I was excited when they made pass interference challengeable back then. Then after going through that year, I don’t think I ever want it back because it got too much and there was too much let them play, too much slow it down and see a little.
It almost probably would be like challenging fouls in the NBA. It just gets a little hard, so probably not a fan of it anymore.”
The 49ers were fortunate that rule no longer exists, or else they would’ve been on the wrong side of the coin last week. Still, if it feels like the majority of calls go against the Niners, that’s because they have during Shanahan’s tenure:
Last week, Fred Warner was flagged by the back judge for an unnesscary roughness penalty that ultimately gave the Cardinals field position and gave them an opportunity to put points on the board. It felt like your run of the mill tackle that happens over the middle on every play.
It wasn’t egregious, like Bryant’s against the Saints, but it helped keep the game close for Arizona. Some of the errors we’ve seen from the refs in recent weeks have been horrific. Hopefully, based on that chart above, the 49ers have better luck moving forward when it comes to the whistle.
How did you feel about the rule? Would you like to the NFL bring it back? Let us know below in the comments.
