NFL playoff officiating decisions -- What happened on controversial calls -- right and wrong -- and what came next

Your instincts were correct if you felt like NFL officials were throwing more flags in 2021. Penalties ticked up to 13.88 per game during the regular season, a bit higher than in the 2020 season (13.14) but still way below where they were in 2019 (16.17) and 2018 (15.87).

That's the longer-term context as you watch this year's postseason games. It would be a surprise if we saw many penalty-filled games, and with any luck we'll spend the next four weeks talking about the performance of players and coaches, not about the fouls that were called (or uncalled) against them.

But there are many rules-based twists and turns to consider beyond flags. In the 2020 AFC Championship Game, for instance, then-NFL senior vice president Al Riveron allowed a review for a nonreviewable play. Ultimately, he reversed a call that should not have been looked at in the game that decided who would represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

We'll have all of your officiating needs covered in this post, which will be updated as needed with rule explanations, important context and other officiating trends. Come along for the ride. (The most recent plays are at the top.)

Bengals-Titans wild-card game, 1:28 remaining in the third quarter

What happened: Replay officials reviewed Titans safety Amani Hooker's interception of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow at the Bengals' 27-yard line.

How it was resolved: Referee Clete Blakeman announced that the call on the field would stand, giving the Titans possession at a key moment in the game. They scored the tying touchdown four plays later.

Analysis: Slow-motion replays indicated that the ball probably touched the ground as Hooker was making the interception. The key question was whether Hooker had possession before