When the NFL announced it would be changing its rules to allow pass interference calls to be included in instant replay reviews, it raised a couple of questions. One of those would be what would happen if there was a questionable pass interference call in the final two minutes of a half when coaches aren't allowed to challenge.
Now, we have some clarity on that issue.
“The NFL owners have voted to allow the Competition Committee the power to alter and adjust the Instant Replay process for pass interference inside the last two minutes of the half and of the game,” a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. As Rapoport notes, “this could end up allowing coaches to challenge throughout the game.”
It's not surprising, but it's still a significant move. If this goes through, the challenge/review process will have been completely remade this offseason. Normally only an official in the booth can stop play in the final two minutes, but it's unclear how that would've worked with pass interference decisions.
Of course, all these changes are coming as a result of the blown call in the NFC Championship Game. The Saints very likely would've been moving on to the Super Bowl had an obvious pass interference been called on Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman.
Saints coach Sean Payton and New Orleans' ownership lobbied NFL owners hard this offseason and ended up getting their wish. Now, it looks like things will be going even further. At the very least, it should make for some very dramatic moments during the 2019 season.
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