My take on flags is this, if it's a penalty in the first Quarter it's a penalty in the 4th, and if it's not called in the first quarter then it should not be called in the 4th.
The thing that bothered me so much about the refs deciding to call that penalty at that time in the game was it was not even close to as big of a hold as several others that the refs let go.
Players will play to the edge until they are called, if you are going to let them grab and hold a little all game long then allow it in the 4th. Was it defensive holding? yea, letter of the law yes, was it so bad that it altered the play? I don't think so, there was not that much of a tug and the ball was a clear 8 yards in front of the receiver, I doubt he catches that anyhow.
I just can't stand when refs pick and choose when it's a flag versus when they turn the blind eye. All I ever ask for is for the refs to be consistent, players will alter their play based on what you are allowing to happen in the game, and if you allow it all game long do not all of a sudden decide to throw the flag late in the 4th especially when it's to clinch the game unless it's altering the play considerably.
