The 2019 NFL season was supposed to have fewer issues with pass interference. But, after two weeks of play, several are angry at the referees for missing on pass interference calls and reviews. Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr can be added to that list.
On Carr's second interception of the day, in the Raiders' 28-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, receiver Ryan Grant was knocked off his route by safety Tyrann Mathieu. Cornerback Charvarius Ward came swooping in to reel in the pick targeted for Grant, who wasn't in the right place due to the safety's play.
Then a flag came out. Carr thought he'd get the defensive pass interference, as did most watching. The referees called offensive pass interference on Grant, which the Chiefs declined to take the ball back.
The referee's call was baffling for Carr. He said after, via ESPN's Paul Gutierez:
“The second interception will blow my mind forever. It was offensive pass interference; they said he was blocking. So, I asked the man, I said, ‘Sir, why would I throw him the ball if he was blocking?'
And he didn't have an answer and just walked away. I don't know what to do in that sense. We got the coverage we want, we got the exact look we want, I'm throwing it to where I'm supposed to throw it, and they tackle our receiver — yet it's a penalty on us. This is changing the outcome of a football game. That shouldn't happen. That blows my mind. When things like that happen, I get kind of upset.”
Carr finished the game in defeat; one can't help but wonder if that would've been different if the referee had called the play right.
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