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During Sunday afternoon's game between the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, Sean Payton was successful with both of his challenges. However, there was another play he wished was reviewable.
The Saints, who eventually beat Carolina 41-38, were on the wrong side of a questionable pass interference call late in the fourth. The penalty was drawn by Greg Olsen, extending the game-tying drive on fourth down for the Panthers.
It wasn't the only controversial PI call of the day. The other was a non-call against Richard Sherman, who was all over Julio Jones on a key play late in Seattle‘s victory over the Falcons.
Both calls have drawn heavy scrutiny, and in Payton's mind, there's a solution for that.
Make PI reviewable
While talking with reporters after the game, Payton expressed the desire to challenge egregious pass interference calls, either made or not. From Joel A. Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate:
The New Orleans Saints coach believes an NFL team should be able to challenge a pass interference flag.
…
“It's been brought up by a number of clubs, and I think the competition committee needs to spend a lot more time thinking about it,” Payton said. “That specific call is so critical to get right.”
Critical because the ball is placed at the spot of the foul. Carolina scored three touchdowns from the 2-yard line in the second half that were set up by pass interference flags in the end zone.
“If you look back and you watch the second half, you're going to see interference, interference, and these interferences in the end zone become 1-yard-line handoffs,” Payton said.
It's a very subjective call, so anything questionable probably wouldn't be overturned. However, when it's clear to everybody watching that PI was committed and not flagged, or vice versa, having review available would be beneficial for the game.
