There's always a judgement call of did the QB slide early enough to give the defender a chance to pull up. You can't have QB's sliding at the last possible moment in an attempt to get a flag. I think the hit today was basically at the same time as the slide, even watching it in slow motion.I think this is the same as an inadvertent 15 yard face mask penalty. I see them called very often. You have to call it. You can't say he didn't mean to do it?
AND THAT CALL DIDN'T COST US THE GAME.
I also think the only reason Sam got injured on it was because it wasn't even a slide, he just fell to his *** and was sitting straight up when the defender hit him. If he slides properly I'd guess the defender just falls on top of him and he doesn't get his neck wrenched.