Wanting to clear up any misconceptions regarding referee Pete Morelli’s decision to not flag the Cowboys for pass interference during the Lions-Cowboys game Sunday, NFL head of officiating Dean Blandino said on the NFL Network it was a judgment call.
Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens was covering Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew on a third-and-one play in the fourth quarter when a flag was thrown for an alleged pass interference. After convening, the referees determined there was no penalty on the play and the Lions punted. The Cowboys would go on to win the game, but controversy over the call did not end.
Hitchens did not play the ball and appeared to be face-guarding, but Blandino said that is not a foul in the NFL. However, Blandino said Hitchens should have been called for defensive holding before the pass was thrown.