Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen didn’t mince words about the state of NFL officiating after Sunday’s 33—30 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The former Minnesota Vikings star took issue with one questionable call that went in Green Bay’s favor late in the fourth quarter. With the game tied 30—30, the Packers were looking to get into field goal territory and retake the lead over Carolina. With a little over two minutes left in the game, quarterback Jordan Love launched a 36-yard pass to wide receiver Romeo Doubs that put Green Bay in Panthers’ territory.
The play was originally ruled a catch, and despite Carolina’s challenge, it stayed a catch.
Thielen, who was on the sidelines at the time and had a front row seat to Doubs's controversial catch, argued that Doubs did not secure the ball. The veteran wideout also took a salty shot at the Packers franchise for receiving preferential treatment from NFL officials.
Thielen said, “Kind of what you get when you play the Packers. Usually they get the benefit of the doubt on some calls.”
The full response from Adam Thielen on that controversial Romeo Doubs catch that was ultimately upheld after official review. The play was made right in front of Thielen and a few others on the sideline.
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) December 24, 2023
“Kind of what you get when you play the Packers.” pic.twitter.com/rrPPdYM6uX
The Packers would later convert the game-winning 32-yard field goal to seal the victory.
In the post-game pool report, NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson stated that replay officials determined the ball did touch the ground, but Doubs maintained “control of the ball in his left hand... The left hand never came off the ball and there were no available shots that show he actually lost control of the ball.”
The Panthers got a sniff at what could have been their third win of the season but ultimately fell short of a miraculous comeback. Better luck—and hopefully less controversial officiating—next week.
