NFL rules definition:
Quote:
It is pass interference by either team when any act by a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders an eligible player’s opportunity to catch the ball. Pass interference can only occur when a forward pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, regardless of whether the pass is legal or illegal, or whether it crosses the line.
Examples:- Contact by a player who is not playing the ball that restricts the opponent’s opportunity to make the catch;
- Playing through the back of an opponent in an attempt to make a play on the ball;
- Grabbing an opponent’s arm(s) in such a manner that restricts his opportunity to catch a pass;
- Extending an arm across the body of an opponent, thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, and regardless of whether the player committing such act is playing the ball;
- Cutting off the path of an opponent by making contact with him, without playing the ball;
- Hooking an opponent in an attempt to get to the ball in such a manner that it causes the opponent’s body to turn prior to the ball arriving; or
- Initiating contact with an opponent by shoving or pushing off, thus creating separation.
Note: If there is any question whether player contact is incidental, the ruling should be no interference.
So the Rams DB certainly committed items (1) and (3), and possibly (4).
IRT to "playing the ball" and not looking at the ball, it's obvious that not looking at the ball implies the DB is not "playing the ball". So item (1) certainly applies to DBs who are not looking at the ball but make contact with the WR (e.g. running into WR thus preventing the WR from making a catch), even though the rules do not state explicitly that a DB not turned around commits DPI. But it is almost 100% certainty that the DB not turned around and contacts the WR preventing a reception is committing DPI by rule.
I've also noticed that the new thing for DBs is to hit the WR a fraction of a second prior to the ball getting there. If the reffs are looking for clear DPI they will not see this contact, thinking that the DB timed the contact without committing interference. This technique was perfected by NWE DBs years ago in the playoffs, where reffs are even less reluctant to get involved. But I've never seen it so prevalent in the regular season like I have these recent low scoring games. Let's see how the league goes forward these next few weeks, but if it continues to be just as difficult to complete passes, unders are going to have their way.
For the record I've never seen 2 blatantly bad calls determine the outcome of a game more clearly than those calls against SEA. Call it riggage, whatever. If the reffs are looking (or not looking) for something, then they are bound to call it (or not call it).
