Former NFL officials think Kyle Rudolph should have been called for pass interference

The New Orleans Saints’ season came to an end on a controversial pass interference no-call (sound familiar?) after the Vikings’ Kyle Rudolph hauled in an overtime touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins.

Rudolph was being defended by the Saints’ P.J. Williams as he appeared to get separation by way of a push-off before catching the game-winning score. Given that pass interference is now a reviewable play, the Saints players and fans lobbied for a review. But the officials waited little time to rule that the game was over after a hasty review that apparently did happen.

Though Saints fans were predictably upset with no-call, former NFL officials also thought that the refs missed the mark.

As more replay angles hit Twitter, former NFL referee and rules expert Terry McAulay tweeted that the play should have been offensive pass interference because Rudolph extended his arms to gain separation.

It is illegal for an offensive player to extend his arm or arms and create clear separation from the defender. That was OPI. #MINvsNO

— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) January 5, 2020

ESPN’s John Parry — who was the referee for two Super Bowls — also tweeted that the play should have been offensive pass interference.

The last play of @Vikings at @Saints is OPI. By written rule and on-field philosophy, Receiver clearly created an advantage. If called and reviewed, it stands. The consistent standard for creating an overturn remains a topic.

— John Parry (@JohnParryESPN) January 5, 2020

The league’s officiating head Al Riveron told pool reporters on Sunday that the play was reviewed, but the contact did not meet the standard of an overturn for offensive pass interference.