Another week, another novel application of the rules

[CKSteeler]

Panthers hit big play of 32 yards. Big play called back for OPI because, according to the refs, there was contact made past 1 fucking yard by the WR.

The ref explained: “The covering official saw that the receiver created separation more than one yard downfield, which by rule is illegal and is offensive pass interference.”

Let's review. The ball was not in the air at this time. This was obviously not a block but a WR trying to get off the line - contact is initiated by the defender within the allowed 5 yard window.

I've spent decades of watching football and have *never* seen this crap called in my life. Does anyone anywhere have an example I can't think of? Somehow , though, that ref picked that moment in a must-win game for both teams to make that ruling.

There's people who defend the NFL and seemingly enjoy watching this crap. The product is undeniably crap in my book. That the Steelers also happen to suck and be mired in Tomlin-induced mediocrity is just icing on the cake. I don't normally bother to watch any non-Steelers content and I sure as shit don't carve out time in my schedule for the Steelers any longer.

There's a three-ring circus aspect to sports and the NFL that remains nominally interesting to me. That be about it at this point...

[swissvale72]

The game is now so fucking over officiated. I think we've all learned to withhold any cheering or joy on a big play until whether we see if there's a yellow flag popping up on the screen. Saw Walt Anderson addressed this play this morning, and his explanation was that the official believed… Not that it necessarily happened… That the receiver may contact after one yard with the DB's body… In this case, looking like he made contact with his helmet, which would make it a legit call apparently the receiver can make contact after 1 yard with the arms of the D. With the body. These rules are too fucking nuanced, particularly when it comes to interference, illegal contact and roughing the quarterback.

[CKSteeler]

There's nothing in any rulebook available to the public that states the WR can't make contact to the head. Good old Walt cited nothing for that explanation so it's like...what are we even talking about? How is it that all material related to rule enforcement aren't publicly available in the first place with legalized gambling endorsed by the league?

What I saw on that play happens routinely throughout a game. Never seen it called. How does it randomly come out in a week 18 must-win game?

If WR's couldn't contact the head of a DB trying to jam them, we'd see that call on WR's far more often. I don't think there's any documentation anywhere private or otherwise that Walt could cite to justify his attempt at an explanation which ultimately still boiled down to the ref got it wrong.