Bennie Fowler: Official admitted missing the penalty that led to Broncos turnover

Since Bennie Fowler was mugged, fans have been in an uproar.

It was a huge moment in Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers and put the Denver Broncos in a tough spot. The play resulted in an interception and the ensuing drive by the Chargers resulted in the first of two touchdowns that made it a game. But it shouldn’t have happened.

On the third-and-10 play from the Los Angeles 49-yard line, Fowler ran a 4-yard route to the left of Trevor Siemian with Desmond King in “coverage.” Fowler had no shot, the ball got deflected and was picked off by Adrian Phillips.

Fowler to Zac Bye and Brandon Stokley on 104.3 FM on Tuesday:

“The ref said it should have been interference just because I didn’t even get a chance to catch the ball. I mean I got tackled before I even got my hands on the ball. So he actually came over to the sideline and told some of the coaches that he missed the call from that point of view. You got fight through things like that. I don’t think that was Trev’s fault at all.”

If the call had been made, the game takes a different turn. It wouldn’t have been pass interference but defensive holding. That’s a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down with the ball on the Chargers’ 44 yard line.

At the very least, the Broncos would have moved into field goal range for Brandon McManus to increase Denver’s lead to 27-7. It also would mean, in all likelihood, there is no late push by Philip Rivers.

Despite the missed call, Denver held on for the win. If the Broncos had lost, this admission would loom large right about now.