Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference
 

Sorry if this is already out there. I just replayed the interception and it is very clear that the defender hit the receiver pretty hard before the ball hit them, bounced up and was intercepted. Is there no pass interference for passes behind the line of scrimmage?
Thanks.

Re: Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference
 

There is only if it's a forward pass.

Re: Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference
 

It was a forward pass. I noted the spot where it was released and where it went

Re: Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference
 

If it's any consolation, he just gut cut.

Re: Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference
 

I figured this was common sense, considering you have 5 yards beyond the line to hit a receiver anyway.

Re: Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference
 

That makes sense

Re: Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference
 

This was discussed at length in another thread, there is no PI behind the line of scrimmage, forward pass or not.

"Note 4: There can be no pass interference at or behind the line of scrimmage, but defensive actions such as tackling a receiver can still result in a 5-yard penalty for defensive holding, if accepted."

NFL Rules Digest: Pass Interference

Re: Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference
 

You are, however, not allowed to hit an intended receiver in that area if the ball is in the air, as Benny Sapp did. That is still defensive pass interference.

The common sense approach is more along the lines of: if it is legal for offensive personnel to block defenders at or behind the line of scrimmage, even if the ball is in the air, it must be legal for defensive personnel to hit the offense at or behind the line of scrimmage, even if the ball is in the air.

Obviously that would exclude holds, which are subject to offensive and defensive holding calls.

Re: Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference
 

That's not my understanding.

You're not allowed to tackle a receiver, because that's defensive holding, which can happen anywhere on the field.

I just watched the play 5x and nothing Sapp did could be considered 'tackling'. In fact, Edelman was the one who tackled Sapp during the play.

Re: Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference
 

But you cannot hit within the 5 yard zone when the ball is in the air.
In this case the ball was thrown pretty much between the players and both made a play on it, which wouldn't cause pass interference.