The Washington Commanders lost a critical NFC East game to the New York Giants Sunday, but the ending was marred in controversy.
The headlines will focus on the non-call on Washington’s last offensive play, where wide receiver Curtis Samuel was clearly interfered with on the pass in the end zone.
However, two plays earlier, there was another controversial call. Rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. scored from one yard, making the score 20-18, and the Commanders just needed a two-point conversion to tie the game with under one minute remaining.
It appeared we could be heading for another overtime.
But, after Robinson scored, officials threw a flag, ruling wide receiver Terry McLaurin was not lined up correctly. The penalty wiped out the touchdown and moved the ball back to the six-yard line, making a potential touchdown even more difficult.
After the game, the always cheerful and composed McLaurin was not happy. McLaurin told the media after the game he asked the official if he was lined up correctly, and the official told him to move up. He did. McLaurin said the officials told him he was good.
Terry McLaurin said he asked the official if he was lined up ok. Said the official told him to move up. So he did. Looked at the official; McLaurin said he told him he was good.
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 19, 2022
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke showed more emotion than McLaurin.
Taylor Heinicke is miffed at the penalty called against Terry McLaurin. “He gives the thumbs-up to Terry, what the f— is that?” he just said to himself at his locker.
Terry confirms that the ref OK’d his alignment before the snap. “I pride myself on paying attention to details”
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 19, 2022
McLaurin doesn’t commit penalties. If this was how that sequence played out, when the flag occurred, the officials should have gotten together and discussed it. Sure, they would’ve probably still screwed things up, but they had far too much involvement in a game that could be costly for either team.
Even NBC’s paid officiating “expert” had an issue with the non-PI call. At this point, the league should just hire robots. Could it be any worse?
Now 7-6-1, the Commanders must regroup and travel across the country to face the red-hot 49ers.
