Refs decline to overturn 2 pass interference non-calls in Packers-Eagles
The NFL's new pass interference review rules were in the spotlight Thursday night.
During their contest at Lambeau Field, both the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers challenged plays that weren't flagged for pass interference on the field.
First, Eagles corner Avonte Maddox appeared to interfere with Packers wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a late first-half play:
I mean, this can't be anything other than DPI pic.twitter.com/ssTViKFOOt
- Gordon McGuinness (@PFF_Gordon) September 27, 2019
Though Maddox got his hand in his opponent's face before the ball arrived, the refs stuck with the call - or lack thereof - on the field.
The league published an explanation, though it did little to quell the furor on social media:
"In #PHIvsGB, Green Bay challenged for pass interference. After review, there was no clear and obvious evidence that Philadelphia #29 significantly hindered the opponent." - AL pic.twitter.com/Loc0LJp90q
- NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) September 27, 2019
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was nonplussed by the decision following his team's 34-27 loss.
"I really don't know what pass interference is anymore," said LaFleur, according to Jason Wilde of Madison.com. "I'll just leave it at that.
"It looks clear and obvious to me (on the challenge), but I'm not the one making the decision."
Later in the game, the Eagles challenged a non-penalized play in which a Packers defender contacted Eagles wideout Alshon Jeffery before the ball arrived. Despite the obvious appearance of interference, the officiating crew once again declined to overturn the decision on the field:
It's clear officiating on PI challenges is far from good and I get DPI should have been called earlier on the @Eagles but I don't get how people think this wasn't DPI. It was a bad challenge by Doug simply based on how inept review has been on these plays. pic.twitter.com/6n4ZwNiaiz
- Steve Gallo (@SteveGalloNFL) September 27, 2019
The NFL appears to be sticking with the letter of the rule that a call on the field will only be overturned if an infraction is clear and obvious.
Copyright (C) 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.