A Texans fan says Patriots "borderline" cheated to neutralize Watt.

[Finnishfan]

watt got short circuited - Houston Texans Message Boards

Seems like some of the other fans called him out on this bogus attempt for an excuse. Lol, I found this funny.

Now I don't know if someone already mentioned this, but not only is holding the players down legal, but grabbing the inside of the jersey or some part of the breast plate of a DLineman and pulling them down is actually one of the most important technical fundamentals for offensive linemen in pass protection.

Right after the pancake block, getting a solid hold on the jersey/breast plate is the second most desirable outcome when blocking 1on1. In addition, grabbing any pads (apart from the inside of the shoulder pads wich almost always leads to linemen getting beaten) is actually very hard if they are strapped on properly.

Even though the offensive holding is one of the most common penalties in the game, the rules regarding it are very simple.

Here a quote from NFL rulebook, where offense holding (EDIT: in pass blocking) is FULLY defined:

Pass blocking: Hand(s) thrust forward that slip outside the body of the defender will be legal if blocker immediately worked to bring them back inside. Hand(s) or arm(s) that encircle a defender—i.e., hook an opponent—are to be considered illegal and officials are to call a foul for holding.

Blocker cannot use his hands or arms to push from behind, hang onto, or encircle an opponent in a manner that restricts his movement as the play develops.

So any kind of use of hands from behind is forbidden, as is "encircling" the defender with hands (meaning letting hands slip outside the defenders body and not working them back immidiately). Those draw holding penalties, but nothing else.

But that only goes for pass blocking, run blocking rules are more strict.