NFL PI rule change benefits Atlanta Falcons the most

With the NFL owners’ approving the rule change to make Pass Interference reviewable, Atlanta Falcons fans everywhere should join Dan Quinn, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones in rejoicing this rule change.

The joke among many fans is that Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints are just crybabies, that they simply cannot take a defeat in which they blew a 13-point lead. I get it; I am with you on this one. There is plenty to go around as far as blame without even talking about the blown call. As Atlanta Falcons fans, we should take a few minutes though to appreciate their level of dedication toward changing this rule.

This rule will benefit Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons far more than any other team in the National Football League and it’s not arguable. Over the course of Julio’s career, he has been the victim of uncalled pass interference time after time after time, which means the Falcons have been robbed of additional yards, touchdowns and victories as the result of officials tucking their flags in precious moments.

During the last several years, think of the games the Falcons could have won had Dan Quinn or Mike Smith been able to challenge a pass interference penalty against Julio. In 2016, the Falcons lose to the Seahawks 26-24 after an uncalled passing interference benefits Richard Sherman and the Seahawks.

How about in the 2017 NFC playoffs when Jalen Mills holds and pushes Julio on the game’s final play when officials stated that Julio slipped, yet video review shows Mills bear hugging Julio and pushing him down. The Eagles would go on to win the Super Bowl.

These are just two of the instances that come to mind and why I am excited this rule change will go into effect for the 2019 NFL season. No player in the NFL is officiated the way Julio Jones is, think of him as the Shaq in the NFL. He is such an athletic freak, officials are clueless on how to handle him when he is punking defensive backs around the league.

I get it, it’s easy to make fun of the Saints and “stinky town” and I am just as guilty of it as anyone, but I am grateful their nonstop crying has led to this change. I hope that this means less interference by Marshon Lattimore and more touchdowns for Julio.