Think back to that crucial missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship game that essentially gave the game to the Los Angeles Rams that advanced them to the Super Bowl.
Now, imagine head coach Sean Payton having the ability to challenge the missed call to where it would’ve been called correctly and the outcome would’ve put the Saints in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
A new proposal is being thrown around by owners that they will consider next week that allows uncalled penalties to be reviewed. The catch is, the coach will have to cite the specific penalty and the player who committed it.
“Once a challenge is initiated, the Head Coach must provide the Referee with the specific player (jersey number) and the specific foul that was committed on the play, regardless of whether there was a penalty called by the on-field officiating crew,” the proposal states.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the suggested rule might also include an additional penalty or time runoff if the coach incorrectly challenges a call.
The penalty for an incorrect challenge would be designed as a “disincentive,” per Schefter, “to get those against allowing coaches’ challenges of officials’ judgment calls more supportive of the potential rule change.”
Back in January, Schefter said the possibility “has the attention of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.”
