Sean Payton finally got his win, even though it won’t replace the hurt of his NFC title game heartbreak. In what can only be called shocking, all offensive and defensive pass interference calls, including no-calls, can now be challenged, the league announced on Tuesday evening.
The change will be a one-year trial run.
According to the new rule, coaches can now challenge offensive and defensive pass interference penalties, even if they aren’t called in real time. Each team is still allotted two challenges per game. In a vote that passed 31-1 in favor of making this change to pass interference, the Bengals were the one team that vote nay.
Saints head coach Sean Payton, the man at the center of the argument, believes the NFL got it right.
Near the end of the NFC Championship game, Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman, barreled face-first into the Saints Tommylee Lewis along the sideline, while in the midst of running his route with the ball in the air. In what can only be described as a flagrant missed call, Robey-Coleman avoided being called for pass interference or helmet-to-helmet contact on the play.
