The NFL passed several new rules for 2019 but one, in particular, stands out for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. The league passed a rule making offensive pass interference and defensive pass interference plays reviewable by coach’s challenge in the first 28 minutes of each half. In the final two minutes, it is a matter of booth review.
This rule also refers to non-calls on OPI and DPI. Meaning if a team feels like a pass interference wasn’t called but should have been. But for Pittsburgh it is all about those pass interference calls the officials flagged in error. The most notable is, of course, the phantom defensive pass interference against cornerback Joe Haden which game the New Orleans Saints and easy early touchdown.
Saints head coach Sean Payton admitted as much when he spoke at the NFL owners meeting and admitted one of the bad calls soon to be reviewable helped the Saints beat the Steelers and in the big picture played a huge role in the Steelers missing the playoffs.
This rule is only currently set for the 2019 season and I honestly hope this is as long as it lasts. Being able to review these types of plays is going to set up defenses even more than before. The NFL is already skewed so heavily toward the offense, this rule change shifts the balance even more in its favor.
