The NFL decided to make pass interference plays reviewable because of the way the New Orleans Saints were cheated out of a trip to the Super Bowl last year, but the new rule worked against the Saints late in their game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
With the score tied 31-31 and the Panthers facing 3rd-and-goal from the 5-yard line, Kyle Allen tried to complete a pass on a crossing route to Jarius Wright, but it fell incomplete. No flag was thrown, but Carolina coach Ron Rivera challenged the play after it appeared Wright was grabbed by a Saints defender. The Panthers won the challenge.
Especially considering the type of plays that weren't called PI this season, this is as weak as it gets but the league hates the #Saints so here it is.pic.twitter.com/Rkx2XEee2o
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 24, 2019
There was definitely some contact on the play, but officials have shown a borderline refusal to overturn pass interference calls and no-calls all season. It seems like we see an egregious pass interference penalty every week that isn’t called but is upheld upon review. Although, the Oakland Raiders won a pass interference challenge earlier on Sunday, so perhaps the NFL is trying to change the narrative.
The football gods may have felt the Saints have suffered enough after they were victims of one of the worst calls in NFL history last year, because the New Orleans defense stood tall and Panthers kicker Joey Slye missed a chip shot field goal.
