I'm not sure that "bad call" really fits this.  VERY badly executed, for sure. 

Looking at the play, you can see where it might not get called.  It looks like PI, but you can see where it might not get call.  The problem is, it did get called.  That's when the crew really messed this one.

First of all, the white hat should not have announced the penalty before all was worked out.  That's obvious, but I find it hard to blame him if he saw the play.  The defender did not turn back and ran right though the receiver.  Seeing the flag thrown, he probably thought what everybody else did, that it must have been pretty obvious.  When the defender does not turn back and runs through the receiver, it's called almost every time.

What I find curious is what happened between the official who threw the flag and the other official who had the "better view".  There are some calls where having the better view is what you go with, such as if a receiver is in-bounds when he catches it.  Two official might have seen it different, but you trust who had the better view.  Other penalties are called if any official sees it.  Illegal motion for instance, will be called if one official sees it, even if an official with a "better view" might not have seen it.  Holding is another.  You don't see official consulting on holding to see if they agree on it.  If one official saw a penalty, they call it.  It's similar with Pass Interference, which is why it's surreal that it got changed.  Having a "better view" might not mean you saw the play accurately.  The official who saw the penalty should have stuck by it because, as replays show, he saw it correctly.

After announcing the flag was picked up, the official was recorded explaining it to Stafford, saying that it was face guarding.  Obviously, that was incorrect because there was contact and it was not face guarding, so again you have the officials sticking by something that was incorrect.  This is the bizarre aspect of it.  If the flag never flies or if they never pick it up you have little to no controversy over it.  Instead they did it right up until the play stops and then they blow it.  It's easy to see how an official can make a mistake at full speed.  It's hard for me to forgive the error when they have time to deal with it, then do everything wrong.

Which is what makes this really strange because it looks awful.  The did it right until they have the sideline screaming at them and a player runs on the field to argue, the crowd is booing them.  I've heard it said they were intimidated and it's hard to argue they weren't.  This is what makes this a huge gaffe on the official's part.  Missing the call is understandable, not being up for the moment is another matter all-together.

I don't know if they were intimidated or not, but it smacked of it.  Having officiated football and basketball, I understand that refs can get intimidated.  A lot of people do when people are yelling at them.

tuck rule

I never understand the whole "refs were intimidated" angle - not with American sports.

At worst they'll get booed, maybe hear some crude chants from the crowd, and probably get nasty comments on social media.  But they should be used to that.  These guys aren't in any physical danger.  The fans aren't going to riot.  And this isn't Brazilian soccer where referees get murdered after a game over a yellow card.

Otherwise I agree with you - the penalty was subjective but once they announce it they have to stick with it.

I don't know if they were intimidated or not, but it smacked of it.  Having officiated football and basketball, I understand that refs can get intimidated.  A lot of people do when people are yelling at them.

2002 Giants holder Matt Allen threw into end zone to Seubert and the league later said PI should have been called on the play

I like the shit out of that comment but can only click the button so many times...

Receivers get straight up mugged on Hair Mary passes - shoved in the back, thrown to the ground, et cetera - no ref ever calls it.  But they should.  And being that the play can't end on a defensive penalty, a lot of games should end differently.

With that said, it would likely piss me off more if they did call those.  Simply because I hate that they would spot the ball at the 1 yard line.  IMO pass interference should be held to the "half the distance to the end zone" limit, just like every other damn penalty.

tuck rule

I like the shit out of that comment but can only click the button so many times...

Receivers get straight up mugged on Hair Mary passes - shoved in the back, thrown to the ground, et cetera - no ref ever calls it.  But they should.  And being that the play can't end on a defensive penalty, a lot of games should end differently.

With that said, it would likely piss me off more if they did call those.  Simply because I hate that they would spot the ball at the 1 yard line.  IMO pass interference should be held to the "half the distance to the end zone" limit, just like every other damn penalty.