Every time a team loses in the NFL or college football, fans often blame the officiating or the offensive coordinator. It’s a tale as old as time that isn’t always true.
But you won’t watch the NFL one week and not see a controversial call — or non-call. It happens to all 32 NFL teams.
However, when officials are missing obvious calls or picking up flags on plays that could lead to scores or is a score, it is a problem.
During Sunday’s game between the Washington Commanders and New York Giants, the officials were far too visible, particularly in the second half. The Commanders were often on the wrong end of these calls.
Look, being an official isn’t an exact science. Mistakes can and will happen, and every team benefits at some point or another. But teams are tied of getting screwed and receiving an apology letter in the mail the following week. It accomplishes nothing.
Let’s take a look at three calls in particular that the officials flat-out missed in Sunday’s game between the Commanders and Giants.
Logan Thomas block in the back
Called a "block in the back" on Logan Thomas.
Folks, this is a terrible call.#HTTC pic.twitter.com/Rd16zoE6ih
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) December 4, 2022
Let’s go back and watch this call. Keep an eye on Thomas when he makes contact with the Giant defender. How is this a penalty? Please explain.
The Giants led 20-13 at this point. The Commanders began this drive from their own five-yard line. Curtis Samuel had just picked up seven yards on second-and-6 to gain a first down into New York territory. Heinicke was sacked on the next play and Washington punted two plays later. The penalty effectively ended Washington’s drive. And it was a promising drive.
It was a terrible call.
Cornelius Lucas had his helmet ripped off
Watch Kayvon Thibodeaux and Cornelius Lucas on this third down play. KT rips Lucas’ helmet off. No call. pic.twitter.com/SDlsXuhFa4
— Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) December 4, 2022
How do you miss this one? His helmet came off! I can see missing a face mask, but Kayvon Thibodeaux literally ripped Cornelius Lucas’ helmet off and was not penalized. How?
This was a third-and-13 play that would’ve given the Commanders a first down if called correctly on the field.
Terry McLaurin's non-PI
I mean … pic.twitter.com/wkvuVpYzZ1
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 4, 2022
This may be the most egregious miss of them all. McLaurin breezed past Fabian Moreau here. Moreau knew he was beaten, bodied McLaurin, and did not look for the football. Officials correctly threw the flag but picked it up after a discussion. Who wouldn’t have loved to have been a fly on the wall during that “discussion?”
This would have been a first-and-goal for the Commanders. They kicked the field goal but could have had three chances to punch it into the end zone. It was another missed call and another missed opportunity for the Commanders.
