Pass Interference Can Not Be Called On Fake Punts; Who Knew?

We learn something every day and today my lesson had to do with an unknown rule in the NFL. In the Thursday Night Football game between the San Deigo Chargers and Oakland Raiders, Ed Hochuli and his crew made a big call that shocked nearly everyone. Apparently, Hochuli and company got the call right.

The Raiders were attempting a fake punt and Chargers corner Quentin Jammer hit Raiders receiver Jacoby Ford and we all thought there would be a pass interference call. That was until an unknown rule was brought to all of our attention. Apparently there can not be pass interference called when the offense lines up in punt formation. The rule reads:

"“Whenever a team presents an apparent punting formation, defensive pass interference is not to be called for action on the end man on the line of scrimmage.”"

The rule makes sense. If that was not in place, a team could launch the ball downfield on every play and have pass interference called since the gunners go to war on each and every punt. So, well done by Hochuli and his crew. It’s nice to see that officials are informed of all of the rules… even the rules that only four people in the world knew.

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