NFL fans left stunned after number of questionable refereeing decisions during Rams-Seahawks clash 

NFL officiating has been inconsistent all season long. There have been very few games in which NFL referees have actually been commended for their calls. Throughout the extended Week 15 schedule, there were many questionable calls that were able to shift momentum from one team to another.

The NFC West divisional matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks, which took place on Tuesday evening, was no different. Several calls, including a missed pass interference call, had fans taking to social media to voice their concerns about the NFL officiating crew led by Shawn Hochuli.

Ram cruise past Seahawks on back of 4th quarter blitz

The Los Angeles Rams hosted the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday night at SoFi Stadium, two days later than originally scheduled due to a COVID-19 outbreak with the Rams. The fact that the Rams had two additional days to get some of their key players out of the NFL's COVID-19 protocols already had some fans up in arms even before kickoff.

Late in the second half, after already having a questionable false start call on Rashaad Penny, it was 4th and 6 in Rams territory, and quarterback Russell Wilson threw a deep pass to DeeJay Dallas. There was an obvious pass interference call missed on Rams linebacker Ernest Jones. The contact between Dallas and Jones led to an incomplete pass and no call on the pass interference.

To add insult to injury, Dallas kicked the football out of frustration and was flagged for Unsportsmalike Conduct, and this cost the Seahawks 15 yards.

The call was so obvious that FOX turned to former NFL referee Dean Blandino who said that it was a missed call.

Many NFL fans also compared the missed pass interference call on the Rams to a similar one between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs in 2018-19. According to an article by John Breech on cbssports.com, "with 1:49 left to play in a 20-20 game and the Saints facing a third-and-10 from the Rams' 13-yard line," Drew Brees threw a pass to TommyLee Lewis. Before Lewis even touched the ball, Nickell Robey-Coleman clobbered Lewis. This was obvious pass interference. Everybody believed it was pass interfernce, except for the officals. This was the same season that the Rams made it to the playoffs.

The NFL officials also called a defensive holding call on Seahawks cornerback Bless Austin on 3rd and 12, allowing the Rams to continue with the drive and not force a punt.

There were also NFL fans who said that the Shawn Hochuli-led officiating crew shouldn't be chosen to call playoff games because these calls are so important.

As a refresher, this is the same NFL officiating crew that called the Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders game on Thanksgiving afternoon and also made questionable calls. During the game, Hochuli's crew called 28 penalties, which was the most in any game in franchise history.

The NFL is unlikely to make any changes to this crew, but they could prevent them from officiating any playoff games this season.

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