A question on an NFL rule/ penalty?

[nyfg89]

Regarding a penalty:
This is the scenario: on a 3 and 6, the QB passes the ball and it is an incomplete pass, there is a flag for holding on the offensive line.
Does the defence have the option to
a)decline the penalty,
b) accept it,
c) is it an automatic replay of the 3rd down ?
In the 49ers v Cards game in the 2nd quarter, before the play where QB Hill lost his helmet when diving for a first down this is what happened.
Jaws never commented on it but I thought the defence had the option to either accept or decline the penalty which would have made it 4th and 6? Your thoughts are welcome

 

[cq]

As far as I know, the D has the option of declining the penalty and going to 4th down in that situation.

 

[Tigers_are_Pro]

Accept for 3rd & 16 or Decline for 4th & 6.

 

[owend21]

Accept for 3rd & 16 or Decline for 4th & 6.

thats it....

 

[dragonfire]

some of the rules seem a little interesting. The one that annoyed me a bit was in the Giants-Saints game where Manning had thrown the ball which was subsequently intercepted for a pick six by Sharper. Vilma hit him high and helmet to helmet which was flagged as roughing the passer and the Giants got the ball back. My problem is that Vilma's foul didnt affect the play so why dont the Saints just get penalised on the ensuing kickoff. Perhaps introduce a yellow card system like soccer so that the players dont abuse that scenario and it would all be good.

 

[beave]

Accept for 3rd & 16 or Decline for 4th & 6.

ditto.