NFL admits Ed Hochuli erred on key penalty against 49ers

Following Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers were officially eliminated from playoff contention, and they have referee Ed Hochuli to blame. OK, so they have a lot of folks to point the finger at for their 7-7 record, but Hochuli's incorrect call is the latest and easiest scapegoat.

On a third-and-5 early in the fourth quarter, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson couldn't connect with rookie wide receiver Paul Richardson, but a roughing the passer penalty against 49ers linebacker Nick Moody bailed out Seattle. Instead of kicking a field goal to remain ahead by one score, the defending Super Bowl champions received a first down and scored a touchdown to go up 17-7 two plays later.

Not 24 hours later, NFL head of officiating Dean Blandino admitted Hochuli blew the call.

“It’s close, but when you look at it on tape, Moody’s head is up, he hits with more the side or the facemask to the body of the quarterback," Blandino told the NFL Network, according to ProFootballTalk's transcription. "So in our review, with the ability to look at it in slow motion, it is not a foul."

it does not matter at all.  there were calls that went in SF's favor.  and Seattle would beat them regardless

last year they did that to Pittsburgh and cause the  Steelers to miss the play offs

last play to go Pittsburgh trying a field goal just out of range of the kicker..was it KC or Indiana Colts..Indy I believe caught with 12 men on the field as clear as day.  the officials refuse to call it.  that was a 5-yard penalty bringing the field goal try well into Pittsburgh's kickers range.

now that was awful right there..a clear, clear penalty. 

this issue here was flow, well within interpretation or re-interpretation of rules, especially given current confusion over the new rule changes with the protection of the QB in particular in mind...and would have meant nothing to the outcome of the game.  Seattle had SF well and truly beaten.  Seattle would kick the field field goal if it was fourth down to go 13 to 7.  and there is no guarantee SF would have scored a touchdown when their turn came. 

and they did get their turn again and the dam score was just 17-7.  but they never scored again, San Francisco...never came close to scoring. and if the Hawks were pressed they would surely have scored again themselves