Texans’ challenge for pass interference fails, sending fans into frenzy

This new NFL rule allowing coaches to challenge pass interference calls and non-calls hasn’t been going so well.

The latest example might be the most egregious of the season: Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey hung onto Houston Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins on this pass attempt, and interference wasn’t called.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien challenged — and the refs still didn’t see what most of football Twitter clearly saw. The decision was upheld.

This was ruled to “stand” as not pass interference by Marlon Humphrey on DeAndre Hopkins. LOL. #Ravens #Texans pic.twitter.com/WkKmi1d1MC

— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) November 17, 2019

Wow that was major DPI on Hopkins on 4th down. If they don’t overturn that one, just eliminate the rule now.

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) November 17, 2019

No DPI called on the field. No DPI called after review.

I’m not even shocked. pic.twitter.com/utkPZF6637

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) November 17, 2019

After the officials missed a blatant pass interference at a vital moment at the end of last year’s NFC Championship Game, team owners voted to expand instant replay rules to allow coaches to challenge calls like this — or the opposite, if coaches feel a ref wrongly called offensive or defensive pass interference on their player.

But the rule may not be doing what it was intended to do. Referees overturned just seven of the first 40 pass interference calls challenged to start the year, and the rate of getting it right likely has gotten worse since then.