Officiating controversies plaguing NFL
Missed calls can be an occasional byproduct of the NFL’s officiating system, but rarely is a decision as significant or game-changing as the one the officials stumbled on late in the NFC Championship Game.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the most controversial calls of the season, highlighted by a pair in the game that sent the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl.
NFC Championship Game: Rams 26, Saints 23
Missed defensive pass interference: The moment drawing the most attention from the NFC title game is the missed defensive pass interference call on Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. On 3rd-and-10 with 1:49 left in the game, Robey-Coleman initiated contact with Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis before the ball arrived. The play also could have been called as a helmet-tohelmet hit against a defenseless receiver. Minutes after the game, Saints coach Sean Payton said the NFL league office called him to admit the mistake. It would’ve given New Orleans a new set of downs and plenty of time to burn clock, with the Rams having only one timeout remaining, and potentially kick a short, game-winning field goal. Instead, New Orleans kicked a field goal to take a lead, but Los Angeles had enough time to march down the field and tie the score with its own field goal.
Missed face mask: In the drive before the Robey-Coleman no-call, officials also missed a face-mask call against the Saints on a 2nd-and-5 with 6:49 remaining in the game when Rams quarterback Jared Goff scrambled outside the pocket and was tackled by Alex Okafor. The penalty would have given Los Angeles a first down and a chance to milk more time off the clock. Given the field position, the Rams could have scored a touchdown that would have given them a four-point lead, which would have wide receivers coach Adam Henry and defensive backs coach DeWayne Walker.
Dallas Cowboys — Jan. 18: Fired offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.
Denver Broncos — Jan. 14: Named Mike Munchak offensive line coach. Jan. 15: Agreed to terms with outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley. Named Ed Donatell defensive coordinator. Jan. 16: Named Rich Scangarello offensive coordinator. Jan. 17: Named Wade Harman tight ends coach and Renaldo Hill defensive backs coach.
Detroit Lions — Jan. 16: Named Darrell Bevell offensive coordinator.
Green Bay Packers — Jan. 16: Named Nathaniel Hackett offensive coordinator. Indianapolis Colts — Jan. 14: Signed S Isaiah Johnson, CB D.J. Killings and WR Jordan Veasy to reserve/future contracts. Jan. 15: Fired offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo. Announced the resignation of assistant offensive line coach Bobby Johnson to become the offensive line coach with Buffalo. Jan. 19: Signed TE Gabe Holmes to a reserve-future contract. changed the dynamic drive.
AFC Championship Game: Patriots 37, Chiefs 31 Enforced roughing the passer call: Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones barely grazed Patriots quarterback Tom Brady when trying to swipe at him, but officials called roughing the passer on a play that resulted in an incomplete pass that would have brought up a 3rd-and-7. Kansas City held a four-point lead with seven of the following Jacksonville Jaguars — Jan. 16: Named John DeFilippo offensive coordinator, Terry Robiskie running backs coach, Tim Walton cornerbacks coach and George Warhop offensive line coach. Promoted assistant defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich to defensive line coach and assistant secondary coach Joe Danna to safeties coach. Jan. 19: Re-signed S Jarrod Wilson to a three-year contract.
Minnesota Vikings — Jan. 14: Named Gary Kubiak assistant head coach/offensive adviser, Brian Pariani tight ends coach and Klint Kubiak quarterbacks coach.
New York Giants — Jan. 14: Signed DE Avery Moss and G Chad Slade to reserve/future contracts. Jan. 17: Signed CB Michael Hunter to a reserve/future contract.
New York Jets — Jan. 16: Named Gregg Williams defensive coordinator.
Philadelphia Eagles — Jan. 17: Named Brandon Boone senior vice president of communications and community affairs.
Pittsburgh Steelers — Jan. 14: Promoted Shaun Sarrett to offensive line coach. Jan. 17: minutes left in the fourth quarter at the time of the flag. The Patriots scored a touchdown nine plays later and went on to win in overtime.
Week 16: Saints 31, Steelers 28 Two defensive pass interference calls: Both penalties came against cornerback Joe Haden on fourth downs and proved to be crucial calls. The first came in the first quarter with 3:10 remaining, when Drew Brees fired a pass deep down the field to Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who was in the end zone. Kamara jumped up and sold the contact, as Haden placed his hands on Kamara’s back but didn’t appear to push him very much at all. The penalty resulted in a 33yard gain for New Orleans, which scored on the next play from 1 yard out to take a 7-3 lead.
The other call against Haden was in the fourth quarter on a 4th-and-2 with two minutes remaining. Going against wide receiver Michael Thomas, Haden appeared to make minimal contact, but the ball appeared to be tipped near the line of scrimmage, which should have negated any pass interference call. Making matters worse, five plays later, Thomas appeared to slightly push off on Haden for the game-winning touchdown grab. Pittsburgh ended up missing the playoffs after not getting the help it needed to sneak into the postseason in the final week.
Week 14: Cowboys 29, Eagles 23 No clear fumble recovery: On the opening kickoff of a pivotal NFC East matchup, the Eagles appeared to have a Named Eddie Faulkner running backs coach. San Francisco 49ers — Jan. 15: Named Kris Kocurek defensive line coach. Jan. 17: Named Joe Woods defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator.
Seattle Seahawks — Jan. 17: Signed QB Paxton Lynch.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jan. 16: Named Byron Leftwich offensive coordinator, Tim Atkins, defensive quality control, Chris Boniol, specialists, Mike Caldwell, inside linebackers, Mike Chiurco, assistant to the head coach, Clyde Christensen, quarterbacks, Rick Christophel, tight ends, Larry Foote, outside linebackers, Kevin Garver, wide receivers, Joe Gilbert, offensive line, Cody Grimm, defensive/special teams assistant, Amos Jones, assistant special teams, Todd McNair, running backs, Antwaan Randle El, offensive assistant, Nick Rapone, safeties, Kacy Rodgers, defensive line, Kevin Ross, cornerbacks and John Van Dam, offensive quality control.
Washington Redskins — Jan. 19: Named Nate Kaczor special teams coordinator.