Denver Broncos lose first defensive pass interference challenge of 2019 NFL season
It took a little less than two quarters, but the first defensive pass interference challenge came down in the preseason opener Thursday night in the Hall of Fame Game between the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.
With 3:19 left to play in the second quarter, Falcons quarterback Kurt Benkert flung a deep pass down the left sideline intended for receiver Russell Gage. Broncos cornerback Linden Stephens placed his left hand on Gage’s chest and officials threw a flag for a 43-yard defensive pass interference penalty.
Broncos coach Vic Fangio, who coached the game with an unpassed kidney stone, threw the red challenge flag and took advantage of the new rule implemented this offseason that allows coaches to review defensive pass interference fouls.
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"What they’re looking at in replay, is there clear and obvious video evidence that the defender did not significantly hinder the receiver," NBC officiating analyst Terry McAulay said during the game broadcast. "Those are the key words, clear and obvious and significantly hinder. That’s the standard replay is going to use to decide whether to reverse this.
"Now we apply it on this play. The defender sticks his arm out into the chest and appears to restrict the receiver. I don’t believe there’s going to be enough to reverse this. It’s certainly not, to me, clear and obvious that he did not hinder the receiver, which is the standard."
Language in the release made by NFL Operations stipulated that for plays to be overturned, there needed to be "'clear and obvious visual evidence' that a pass interference foul may or may not have occurred."
NFL vice president of officiating Al Riveron was in the replay booth inside the stadium in Canton, Ohio for Thursday night’s game and the ruling on the field stood as called.
"It’s got to jump out at you that this is just the wrong ruling on the field," NBC officiating analyst Terry McAulay said during the broadcast. "But because he put his hand on the player and there was a possible hindrance against the receiver."
The new rule is being implemented for the 2019 season and will be revisited at the end of the year to determine whether it will be adopted in the future.
The rule was adopted in response to fallout from an obvious missed call in the NFC Championship Game that almost certainly kept the New Orleans Saints from advancing to the Super Bowl. In the play, Los Angeles Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman initiated contact before Drew Brees’ pass arrived to receiver Tommylee Lewis.
Follow Paste BN Sports' Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.
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