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Actually those pictures show exactly why it was called Offensive Pass interference.

Were both guys touching each other -- yes they were. and Officials have let that type of hand checking go all year long. This play was no different than almost every other pass play of every game in that regard.

The reason OPI was called is because, (1) Jackson Extended his arm fully and (2) completely changed direction -- this gave the appearance of a push off.

Picture 1 : Jackson is heading Toward Taylor and extnding his arm.

PIcture 2 : Jackson is turning around and using his arm as leverage to stop and turn (or so it appears even though the real contact was very slight)

PIcture 3 : Jackson arm fully extended in push off and he is now headed in completely the opposite direction

Politico's love the term "APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY" -- that is exactly what this is. When the reciever EXTENDS HIS ARM FULLY and CHANGES DIRECTION at the SAME TIME the Offiensive pass interference penalty is called 100% OF THE TIME!!!!!

The conspiracy theorists, crybabies, and whiners can yowl all they want, but I challenge anyone to find a film of any NFL game where the reciever is GOING ONE DIRECTION, EXTENDS his arm against the defender, and REVERSES direction where Offensive Pass Interference was NOT CALLED. You will not find one single time.

Also, to put to rest another whine that others have been perpetuating ad nauseum. Watch the replay from the BACK of the endzone that has the Ref in the picture. Contrary to the lovely "he waited until the defender said something to throw the flag" -- you will see him IMMEDIATELY reach for the flag when Jackson extends the arm. You will also see his hand come up EMPTY in a throwing motion. He then reaches back , grabs the flag and throws it. IOW he MISSED the flag the first time, but did call the penalty immediately.

GREAT POINTS!!!!

The reason OPI was called is because, (1) Jackson Extended his arm fully and (2) completely changed direction -- this gave the appearance of a push off.

It definitely appeared like a slight push off and that caused the penalty. But by the book, since it was the defender who initiated the contact, it is not offensive pass interference. But if the ref just caught the last few seconds, he probably made the right call based on what he saw and most refs probably would have made the same call. It is a tough break but thats football.

How convenient... you left the FIRST frame out:

That is BEYOND 5 Yards. And he is HOLDING him.

The conspiracy theorists, crybabies, and whiners can yowl all they want, but I challenge anyone to find a film of any NFL game where the reciever is GOING ONE DIRECTION, EXTENDS his arm against the defender, and REVERSES direction where Offensive Pass Interference was NOT CALLED. You will not find one single time.

C'mon Commish, now you're the one not being honest here. It wasn't THAT clear cut. OPI is not called if your name is Michael Irvin, Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens... should I go on? If it were that clear-cut, why all the controversy at the Half? Why the comments from Steve Young & Michael Irvin? These guys know what you generally can, and can't get away with.

It also depends a lot on the game situation. You tend to see it more when the pass is up the sideline, or on the end zone fade route where the defender is trailing the Wideout. The wideout will often shield the defender, like a basketball player boxing out, then attempt to accelerate or leap to the ball. If the arm goes out on either of those routes, the flag generally comes out.

OTOH, when you have a receiver & defender locked up in the endzone it really gets gray... My only point is that the refs should let them play. It's a big game, and only flagrant stuff should be called. Hassleback's pass was delivered on the shoulder where the D-back couldn't reach anyway, so where's the advantage?