The 49ers took an early 7-0 lead over the Broncos on Sunday night, but their execution on a gorgeous pick play may have been a little too good.
By design, Niners receiver Deebo Samuel stepped upfield on the snap to block a Broncos defensive back, and Jimmy Garoppolo hit Brandon Aiyuk in the space created underneath for a two-yard touchdown.
NBC's rules expert thought Samuel's pick was illegal and should have been flagged.
"It was indeed offensive pass interference," said former NFL referee Terry McAulay. "It's illegal to block more than a yard downfield and the receiver clearly does that.