In the fourth quarter of a Thursday Night Football game at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Tarheeb Still got away with a blatant pass interference penalty against Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix underthrew a deep pass to Mims and Still caught up to the receiver and grabbed his arm and made contact before the ball arrived without turning around to look for or defend the ball. It appeared to be textbook pass interference.
No flag was thrown, though, and the Broncos went on to punt while trailing by three points. A completion would have put Denver within field goal range to potentially tie the game (or take the lead with a touchdown).
Here’s a sampling of how Twitter/X reacted to the missed call.
Should this have been ruled pass interference on the Chargers? Clear early contact to Mims Jr as he went up for the ball. pic.twitter.com/iMFXdxCk0Y
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 20, 2024
The one time the refs don’t call PI on an under thrown ball…just happens to be when the Broncos needed it
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) December 20, 2024
Apparently “hanging from the receiver’s arm” is not actually interference. 😂 FFS. https://t.co/0LtmuCYAxI
— Doctor of Words (& tights & over/under guesses) (@docllv) December 20, 2024
Broncos cannot catch a break from the refs
How is that not DPI?
— Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars) December 20, 2024
See that called every other time. I’ve never seen it be not called because it’s underthrown. Heck it seems like a strategy half the time it’s so common.
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) December 20, 2024
Refs missing a blatant pass interference in the chargers broncos game
Kirk Herbstreet just ignores the replay
NFL is goofy
— R (@babygothummus) December 20, 2024
HOW IS THAT NOT PASS INTERFERENCE???? Are you kidding me???
— MileHighGreco (@MileHighGreco) December 20, 2024
The most obvious pass interference of all time?
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) December 20, 2024
That’s a bad ball, but that’s pass interference
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 20, 2024
The suspension of the pass interference rule is an interesting twist for tonight.
— Matt Russell 🇨🇦 (@mrussauthentic) December 20, 2024
That’s pass interference as 29 never looks for the ball or it’s that just for the teams yall want to win
— Kyle Davis 👑 (@KyleBDavis12) December 20, 2024
Insane missed pass interference call on Marvin Mims. Game changer right there.
— I know ball (@Iknowball___) December 20, 2024
Head not turned
Grabbing the receiver’s arm
Absolutely pass interference
No call
— Patrick Chiotti (@PatrickChiotti) December 20, 2024
HOW IN THE HELL IS THAT NOT A PI???????????
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 20, 2024
No pass interference?…
Better Vision. Better Calls.
Still offering free modern LASIK to NFL refs. pic.twitter.com/5T2ABmMbUz
— LASIK.com (@LASIKdotcom) December 20, 2024
The Broncos went on to lose the game 34-27, so that non-penalty proved to be a crucial play. Of course, no the no-call for DPI would have been a moot point if Nix led Mims. A better pass likely would have resulted in a touchdown.
Up next for Denver is a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) next Saturday (Dec. 28). With two games remaining, the Broncos need to win one game to clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.
