The New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings had a back-and-forth game on Sunday, but a horrible roughing the passer penalty almost played a huge role in deciding the game.
The play occurred late in the fourth quarter with the Vikings trailing 31-24 and driving. New York defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence applied pressure on Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins, forcing an errant pass and sending Cousins to to the ground.
It looked like any normal hit on a quarterback, but officials flagged Lawrence for a roughing the passer call, which seemed completely ridiculous in real time and worse when looking at the replay.
Another NFL game, another weak roughing-the-passer call in a huge spot. 🏈🦓 pic.twitter.com/esX4CfCSWy
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 16, 2023
Without the penalty, the Vikings would have faced a critical third-and-four. With it, they got a new set of downs.
The NFL world was justifiably outraged at the call.
“Roughing the passer… Tough look for football as a whole normally. Let’s fix that this off-season,” tweeted former NFL punter Pat McAfee.
Roughing the passer…. TOUGH look for football as a whole normally
Let’s fix that this off-season @NFLOfficiating
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 16, 2023
“We have a new contender for worst roughing the passer penalty ever called,” tweeted Brandon Walker of Barstool Sports.
We have a new contender for worst roughing the passer penalty ever called.
— Brandon Walker (@BFW) January 16, 2023
“This is the worst roughing the passer call of the year!” tweeted former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III.
THIS IS THE WORST ROUGHING THE PASSER CALL OF THE YEAR! pic.twitter.com/iOfar13srX
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 16, 2023
It’s unclear what more Lawrence was supposed to do on this play to avoid getting flagged. Luckily for the Giants, this blown call did not end up costing them in the end.
Minnesota got one more first down but New York came with a huge stop on fourth down later in the drive, following a questionable play call from Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell to secure victory.
The Minnesota Vikings' season was on the line… and they went with a 3-yard pass to a tight end on 4th-and-8. Not great. 🏈😬🤔 pic.twitter.com/wI1Mh1gaD5
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 16, 2023
But as Paul Pabst of The Dan Patrick Show detailed, the Giants winning the game shouldn’t ease any frustration about the missed call.
Don't stop complaining about that horrid roughing call just because the Giants won.
— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) January 16, 2023
Regardless of the result, this penalty is something that could have cost the Giants the game. Fans are getting tired of seeing questionable roughing-the-passer calls continue to be made in big moments that can decide football games.
[The Comeback on Twitter] Photo Credit: Fox
