Anyone who watched Sunday’s showdown between the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts knows Michael Pittman Jr. got got when Xavier Woods got him . . . including Michael Pittman Jr.
In the second quarter of the Week 9 matchup, the fourth-year wide receiver absorbed quite the hit from the seventh-year safety. But despite what appeared to be some pretty clean form, Woods was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Personal foul was called here on Panthers DB Xavier Woods. #INDvsCAR pic.twitter.com/iqR8Bkwdds
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) November 5, 2023
Unfortunately for Woods, the zebras didn’t ask for Pittman Jr.’s opinion of the play—which was revealed following the game.
“I think it was a clean hit,” Pittman Jr. admitted. “I would rather him hit me the way he did than hit me up top. Fortunately, we did get the call and that helped us score, but really I think it was a clean hit. Sometimes you get got and he got me.
That call may have very well given the Colts four extra points. Instead of what would have likely been a field goal attempt from the Carolina 25-yard line, Indianapolis was gifted a new set of downs—an opportunity they parlayed into a 10-yard touchdown pass just two snaps later.
The Colts, of course, went on to take the win, 27-13. So, maybe it didn’t ultimately matter.
But now, we’ll have to see if the hit causes some unnecessary roughness to Woods’ bank account.
