Incidental contact can happen while a defender and a receiver try to make a play on the ball. ... It is pass interference by either team when any act by a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders an eligible player's opportunity to catch the ball.

Is accidental contact pass interference?

Pass interference is called if the defensive player contacts the offensive player while he is trying to catch the pass, unless the defender has turned his head to face the oncoming pass and is attempting to intercept it. Accidental, glancing contact is not penalized.

What constitutes pass interference in the NFL?

Pass interference is a penalty in American football when a player tries to interfere or prevent another player from catching or making a play on a thrown ball. However, both defensive and offensive players have a right to attempt to make a fair catch in football.