Pass Interference Calls in Chiefs-Raiders Game Spark Debate

Which side of the fence do you stand on?

NFL fans were up in arms Monday night after a pair of defensive pass interference calls against the Chiefs on Raiders star Davante Adams.

Monday Night Football viewers took to social media to debate the circumstances surrounding the calls, which came at the start of the second quarter on two of the first three plays of the Raiders’ second drive of the night. Facing third-and-four from the Kansas City 42-yard line, quarterback Derek Carr lofted a deep ball to Adams who drew a tough PI on Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton for 25 yards to extend the series.

After a tackle for loss by Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark on the ensuing play, Adams influenced another PI, this time on Chiefs rookie corner Jaylen Watson in the end zone for 23 yards. Fans inside Arrowhead Stadium were not too pleased with the play as the replay showed Adams coming back to catch an underthrown ball over the top of Watson while he was facing the All-Pro receiver.

What is Jaylen Watson supposed to do....#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/OlWWxV6TqJ

— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) October 11, 2022

A Carr incompletion followed the questionable sequence before Josh Jacobs punched it in from a yard out to put the Raiders up 14–0. Las Vegas scored a TD on its first drive after Adams burned Fenton for a 58-yard catch-and-run score.

The costly calls sparked much debate on the internet concerning whether or not Watson and Fenton were penalized in helpless situations. Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, made her stance very clear in a tweet shortly after the first PI.

That call was TRASH

— Brittany Mahomes (@BrittanyLynne) October 11, 2022

While debating the referee’s whistle is certainly far from a rarity for sports fans, Monday night’s sequence seemed to strike a chord with many watching the game. Check out some of the best takes below:

What is a DB supposed to do when playing blanket Man-to-Man coverage & a short throw makes WR slow down & contact happens??? I’m sure I would have loved those calls… but just feel an errant pass should not warrant a DPI!! #WhatSayYou?

— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) October 11, 2022

Under-throwing deep balls to Davante Adams and hoping for PI? I've seen worse game plans!

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) October 11, 2022

That’s so ridiculous that they still call that PI. Gotta change that rule.

— Bill Burr (@billburr) October 11, 2022

Agreed with the first PI call but the second one I don’t. As always, the offense shouldn’t be rewarded for a poorly under thrown pass.

— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) October 11, 2022

That last play is yet another reason why the NFL needs two levels of defensive pass interference -- a 15-yarder for ticky-tack fouls, and a spot foul for egregious ones. The penalty as it is has too much of an impact on the game

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) October 11, 2022

that old saying about how "there are only 3 things that can happen when you throw the ball and 2 of them are bad" did not account for 21st century advances in Pass Interference technology

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) October 11, 2022

These refs should be called for pass interference interference.

— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) October 11, 2022

Game after game and year after year:

These pass interference calls on underthrown balls are ridiculous.

Two guys running full speed and the guy in front stops and reaches over the 2nd dude.

Worst call in NFL.

(Also make it 15 yards not a spot foul. Thank you and God bless)

— Kevin O’Neill (@KevinBuffalo) October 11, 2022

Have I told everyone lately how much I hate pass interference?

— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) October 11, 2022

Maybe we need to go over what Pass interference is...

— Ryan Tracy - Consultant, Content Creator (@RyanTracyNFL) October 11, 2022

Abolish pass interference.

— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) October 11, 2022

• Arrowhead Report: Chiefs vs. Raiders: Week 5 Preview and Predictions

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