I just went to the NFL Officiating website and found this information:
Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to the ball being touched.
<b>(b) Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.</b>
(c) Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field.
The receiver was guilty of (b). I don't care if the ref was Bill Cowher's sister, he made the right call. Every talking head that picked Seattle to win this game has called this a BS call. It's right there in black & white in the NFL rules. You can't push a defender to gain an advantage. The receiver clearly gained an advantage by extending his arm and pushing the defender and then moved back to catch the ball. It may not always get called but the ref was right in front of the play. . . and it was the right call.
Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to the ball being touched.
<b>(b) Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.</b>
(c) Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field.
The receiver was guilty of (b). I don't care if the ref was Bill Cowher's sister, he made the right call. Every talking head that picked Seattle to win this game has called this a BS call. It's right there in black & white in the NFL rules. You can't push a defender to gain an advantage. The receiver clearly gained an advantage by extending his arm and pushing the defender and then moved back to catch the ball. It may not always get called but the ref was right in front of the play. . . and it was the right call.
