Report: NFL admits there should have been pass interference called on late-game throw to Josh Doctson

The Washington Redskins had a chance to beat the Houston Texans, but a key penalty wasn’t called. It definitely should have been.

We all saw it. It was clear as day. There was no doubt about it. It was the most obvious call to make. The refs had to have seen it. It was right in front of them.

But they didn’t. They missed the call and let it go.

The play I’m talking about was the pass interference call that the referees missed as the end of the Redskins-Texans game. Josh Doctson went up for a pass late in the game and Texans safety Justin was draped all over his back. It was clear that Reid got there early, but nothing was called. It was typical late-game omission bias from the officials, but it definitely cost the Redskins a chance at a game-winning field goal.

That hurts a lot. But this might hurt a bit more.

According to ESPN’s John Keim, the NFL told the Redskins that pass interference should have been called. He announced this on Twitter Tuesday, and here’s the tweet.

Keim is right. It doesn’t make it better at all.

It would be one thing if the call was somewhat questionable. Or if the referees maybe missed a quick tug of the jersey or something along those lines. But this penalty was blatant. Everyone watching knew that something should have been called, but the whistle never sounded. Sure, it’s nice that the league acknowledged that there was a mistake, but at this point, it can’t be corrected. And that’s the worst part for the Redskins faithful.

Maybe moving forward the Redskins will catch a break on calls like this. And yes, these types of calls do happen to other teams across the NFL, but because this one legitimately cost the Redskins at least an opportunity for a game-winning kick, this is one of the worst this year. The team will move on and so will the fans, but this is just another reminder about how much of an impact one officiating call (or non-call) can affect a game.