NFL Fans Ripped NBC’s Rules Analyst Over His Take on Questionable Call Against Josh Allen

It seems like every week of the NFL season there are a number of calls made by refs that are questionable at best. That was the case again during Sunday night’s Bills-Bengals game when Buffalo QB Josh Allen got called for intentional grounding late in the second quarter.

In case you missed it, Allen quickly fired a pass on third down that sailed well past wide receiver Gabe Davis. The refs threw a flag and made the grounding call, which confused many fans and angered Cris Collinsworth, who got into a heated debate with NBC’s rules analyst, Terry McAulay.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half. 

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Collinsworth broke down how it was an option route and that the refs should judge the play that way and not throw a flag. 

Here’s how it played out: 

"I understand the rule and the definition of it. But in reality -- the game of football, that wasn't grounding. He wasn't trying to throw that one away. It was just a mistake in read."

NBC's Cris Collinsworth and Terry McAulay banter over an intentional grounding penalty called… pic.twitter.com/poOYDUOm8e

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 6, 2023

Fans were not happy with McAulay or the refs: 

Terry McAulay wrong as usual https://t.co/0S9op7LEul

— #HumboldtStrong (@PeskySens4life) November 6, 2023

Collisnworth was right.

Also, these former refs working for the networks that chime in on penalties/challenges are useless https://t.co/7v71KnFi80

— Mike Honcho (@xPancho_nLeftyX) November 6, 2023

If I vowed to only drink/take a shot when Terry McAulay disagreed with a calm the refs made, I’d be stone cold sober for two months now. https://t.co/YyMHUZNoJk

— Scott Miller (@beansmankato) November 6, 2023

Like how bad does it have to be when general consensus is CRIS COLLINSWORTH is the right one here? https://t.co/nRDtfMgyup

— Referee Jared Hawkins (@RefJHawk) November 6, 2023

Referees are now power hungry and addicted to throwing yellow flags. Taking over the games. Bad bad look. https://t.co/QImm7RYHDo

— CJ (@CJSanchez77) November 6, 2023

Dear God I'm agreeing with Cris Collinsworth it's truly end of days https://t.co/g21Wgoplvz

— J🍩ey Bag 🍩f D🍩nuts 🍩 (@joeybagovdonuts) November 6, 2023

The NFL is ruining itself with rules. They've taken any context of intent out of a rule literally called "Intentional Grounding". What happens in January when a cold wet ball slips out of your hands when you release it and it's way off target? Intentional grounding too? https://t.co/Ok3NAuhK9N

— Justin Rose (@JWRose42) November 6, 2023

the route absolutely, 100% should matter in that situation https://t.co/OLqzss0vCp

— Adam Lazarus (@lazarusa57) November 6, 2023