Rams coach McVay: NFL says late-game pass-interference penalty shouldn’t have been called

Three days after the Broncos’ 30-26 comeback win over the Rams, the pass-interference penalty drawn by Pat Bryant against Los Angeles cornerback Josh Wallace continues to stir the pot.

Wednesday, Rams head coach Sean McVay said at a press conference that the NFL “agreed” with his assertion that Wallace did not improperly interfere with Bryant on the play, which would have been a potential game-sealing interception had it not been for the flag.

Instead, the Broncos received a drive-resuscitating first-and-goal, and eventually scored three plays after another Los Angeles defensive penalty for illegal hands to the face.

McVay submitted the play to the NFL for a postgame review, leading to what he learned from the league office.

“The goal is to just get good, consistent feedback,” “>McVay said at his press conference. “It doesn’t matter. Like I’ve told you, the only thing that matters to me is how to educate our players. … Whether it was or wasn’t right, that wasn’t the point. The call was made and that was what the call was. What I am interested in is if there’s any sort of feedback that says this is in alignment with what would be correctly officiated as a DPI, here’s the coaching points that you want your [defensive backs\ or your backend guys to be able to have.

“That’s the only thing that I’m really worried about. That game’s over with. We’re a 1-2 football team and got to be able to move forward.”

Bryant said Tuesday in an interview with KCNC-Ch. 4 in Denver that there was “a little pass interference” committed by Wallace, but that the second-year wide receiver sold it to get the call from Bill Vinovich’s officiating crew.

“I did sell it just enough to get the flag,” Bryant said. “He definitely gave me a little nudge that I felt, and I felt like I couldn’t get the ball, so it was either the ball or call, and we ended up getting the call.”

If the Broncos or Rams seasons end up seeing a seed or a division title decided by one game, the call upon which Vinovich settled could prove to be massive. Yes, the Rams had plenty of other chances throughout the game to make such a moment meaningless, but when it happens so late in such a high-leverage moment — as was the case against Sean Payton when he coached the Saints in the 2018 NFC Championship Game — the magnitude of the call can’t be overstated.

But now we know that the league — upon further review — felt the Broncos got the benefit of a flag against the Rams that shouldn’t necessarily have been thrown.

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