Adam Gase's successful PI challenge shows how new rule will work
The new NFL rule which allows coaches to challenge a pass interference call or non-call is guaranteed to create confusion and controversy this season, but the New York Jets demonstrated a case where a successful challenge of a non-call will work.
It happened during the third quarter of a preseason game between the Jets and New York Giants. Jets quarterback Davis Webb threw an incomplete pass intended for Tim White, but replays showed that Giants cornerback Corey Ballentine clearly was holding on to White’s left hand while the ball was in the air.
The call was challenged by Jets head coach Adam Gase, and it was successful, giving the Jets 33 yards on the third-down play.
The league tweeted out that, “The defender significantly hinders the receiver’s opportunity to catch the ball. The ruling on the field is changed because there is clear and obvious visual evidence of defensive pass interference”:
“In #NYJvsNYG, the defender significantly hinders the receiver’s opportunity to catch the ball. The ruling on the field is changed because there is clear and obvious visual evidence of defensive pass interference.” - AL pic.twitter.com/DPiORSHdMd
— NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) August 9, 2019
Last week, in the first-ever challenge of a pass interference penalty, the Denver Broncos were unsuccessful in disputing the call:
The first challenge of a pass interference call.
Hear the explanation behind the call. pic.twitter.com/CPKoUDLE1u— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) August 2, 2019
The rule comes after the now infamous non-call in last season’s NFC Championship Game between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams when pass interference was not called on the Rams’ Nickell Robey-Coleman despite clear contact.
One way or another, like most video review decisions, there will be plenty of controversy this season as a result of these replays. But at least Gase demonstrated on Thursday a scenario in which a blatant missed call can be corrected thanks to this new rule.
More from Yahoo Sports: