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Report: NFL to conduct full review of officiating after season

Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The NFL will conduct a top-down examination of its officiating at the conclusion of the regular season, NFL.com's Judy Battista and Ian Rapoport are reporting.

From missed calls, to pass interference and early whistles, officiating has dominated headlines all season.

The offseason changes to the pass interference rule resulted in more confusion early in the season when coaches had little success challenging offensive and defensive pass interference calls.

This past Sunday's marquee game between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs was marred by missed calls.

The Patriots forced a fumble from Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and appeared set to run it back towards the end zone, but the referees whistled the play dead and ruled the receiver down by contact. New England had to challenge the play to get possession of the ball but lost the opportunity for a scoop-and-score.

Later in the game, Patriots receiver N'Keal Harry tightroped the sideline to score a touchdown late in the contest, but sideline officials ruled him out at the 3-yard line.

New England was unable to overturn the ruling after spending their challenges on other calls.

Head of officiating Al Riveron has come under criticism by players as the season has progressed. In Week 11, Houston Texans wideout Deandre Hopkins said the NFL needs "someone new in New York deciding calls" when he failed to draw a defensive pass interference call despite being mauled on a attempt in the end zone.

A number of other games have been decided by missed calls. Officials called two hands-to-the-face penalties against Detroit Lions defensive lineman Trey Flowers in Week 6 though replays showed his hands were on his opponent's shoulder pads. The two calls extended drives and allowed the Green Bay Packers to mount a last-minute comeback.

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