Arizona Cardinals: New replay rule in effect for 2019

The Arizona Cardinals and the other 31 teams got good news on Tuesday as the NFL owners approved a change to instant replay rules

So long to the Arizona Cardinals getting worked over a non-call or a pass interference call.  If they call on the field is suspect in 2019, it can now be challenged.

The next time Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson is unjustly called for a pass interference, the Cardinals will have the ability to challenge, so as long as they have at least one in their back pocket to use.

All defensive and offensive pass interference calls will be subject to challenge.  This alteration to the instant replay rules is something you can thank the New Orleans Saints for.  The non-pass interference call doomed the Saints in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Non-calls will also be subject to challenge in 2019.  It will be interesting to see how much that is used.  It could be tempting to use that on many plays.

As we all know, the Cardinals, just like a lot of other teams, have had their share of bad calls go against them.  Unfortunately it took a very bad call at the most critical time in order for this to happen.

In 2018 there were 237 defensive pass interference penalties accepted, which was less than one per game at .93 per game.  There were just 83 offensive pass interference penalties accepted.

The Cardinals had five defensive pass interference calls against them in 2018.  That was tied for third in the NFL.  However they had just one offensive pass interference call go against them last season.

Previous to 2018, in 2017 they had just four defensive pass interference calls against them.  In 2016 they had eight of them but that was tied for just 11th in the NFL.

It really is the non-calls where it seems teams may benefit the most.  Again though, the Cardinals are going to need to be very selective in using them as the number of challenges has not changed, yet.