Tuesday 18 October 2016 19:24, UK
Sky Sports NFL expert Neil Reynolds believes that pass interference calls should be made reviewable to make the NFL more accurate in its officiating.
As the Atlanta Falcons pushed for a game winning opportunity on Sunday night, Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman looked to have grabbed Julio Jones' arm, stopping him from making a fair catch. The penalty wasn't given and the Seahawks held on to win the game 26-24.
On the 'Inside the Huddle' podcast, Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discussed the issue, and it's potential implications on the role of officials in the NFL.
"Anything that helps the official has to be done, and pass interference is one of those fouls that would be relatively easy to offer up video evidence for," Reynolds said.
"Currently in the NFL you can't review a judgement call, but isn't everything in a game situation a judgement call, to a degree? I can't get my head around that.
"There are rules that define something - you must have two feet inside the end zone for example - but the official is using their judgement on whether those two feet were in or out. Everything is a judgement call in some way."
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn was furious at the decision, which gave the Seahawks possession and allowed them to see out the win. The result could have play-off implications for the NFC, with both Seattle and Atlanta vying for top spot in their respective divisions.
One of the main arguments against reviewing judgement calls is that it would slow the game down, and while Reinebold conceded that time management was a factor, increasing accuracy is the main priority.
"It is difficult with the size and speed of these guys today to officiate the game. The opportunity to get it right by using replay is a way that the NFL has to go. You're talking about a game changing play.
"This is a lightning rod topic in football right now. It does slow the game down, that's true. But do you want a slightly slower game and better officiating, or a faster game? For me, you have to go in this direction."