That prompted a rule that if a team fouls to prevent the next snap, that team can no longer challenge or benefit from a review.
But it didn't stop there. The rule has now morphed further to say that anything between downs that is deemed to delay the snap — such as throwing the challenge flag — precludes the challenging team from benefiting from the review.
While he agrees with the 15-yard penalty associated with throwing the flag, Pereira says wiping out the review entirely amounts to a flawed rule.
"It goes against the premise of replay, which is to get the call right," he said. "It's morphed into not being a good rule."
That said, changing the rule in the middle of the season could be problematic.
"What happens now if next week the same thing happens in Green Bay, and Mike McCarthy throws the challenge flag but now you're allowed to review it and change it, and Green Bay keeps the ball and wins the game?" Pereira said. "Then you really have a competitive issue during the course of the regular season.
"To me, if it's big enough to create a change, which I think it is, then you change it for the playoffs."
Foot fault
Say what you will about the Lions, but at least they have a consistent, reliable kicker. I'm talking, of course, about Ndamukong Suh.
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