The Denver Broncos became the first team to test the new pass interference challenge rule.
During the second quarter of Thursday’s preseason Hall of Fame Game between the Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, Denver’s Linden Stephens was called for a 43-yard pass interference. First-year head coach Vic Fangio decided to throw a flag to challenge the pass interference call.
Right to uphold this PI call? pic.twitter.com/xi491MaSUn
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) August 2, 2019
The call on the field was upheld, giving the Falcons the ball at Denver’s 21 — a huge field position swing.
Though the challenge did not work out, Fangio did make good on his promise to be the first one to test things out.
Vic Fangio — July 26, 2019: "We do play the first game of this season next Thursday. I’m going to throw the first challenge flag for OPI or DPI.”
Promise kept.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 2, 2019
In addition to the ability to challenge pass interference calls the first 28 minutes of each half, expanded replay will now give officials the opportunity to review pass interference calls and no-calls.
