As the weather gets colder, the games loom larger. So do the mistakes of those paid to judge on-field character.
Week 11 was filled with typical mistakes from officiating crews in the biggest of competitions, and while NFL fans had every right to be angry, they can at least take solace in the fact that some of these men and women take a licking as well.
I would never encourage violence towards an official, but this was completely unintentional, and the referee in question was totally fine. Unfortunately, after the Dolphins recorded a turnover and enjoyed the subsequent celebration, an official got in the way and was trampled like a bug under a herd of elephants. Dolphins safety Clayton Fejedelem deserves a sack on the play. Let’s add it to the stat-line, folks.
However, not all bloopers are good. In the Steelers-Jaguars game, Pittsburgh wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster stepped awkwardly on a long-lost flag, nearly injuring himself in the process.
Smith-Schuster missed Monday’s practice due to the incident.
Last but not least, a holding call in the Cincinnati Bengals-Washington Football Team game required one official’s version of mansplaining.
This is all in good fun, of course. In a weekly post so often dedicated to the worst of officiating, sometimes it’s appropriate to laugh, rather than constantly point fingers. That being said, let’s get back to throwing stones.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers warms up with the football before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field on October 05, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
3. Aaron Jones dragged down by his facemask
Green Bay blew a sizable lead to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, losing in overtime in what’s an especially painful defeat for Aaron Rodgers and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. MVS received death threats after his critical fumble in OT, which is beyond uncalled for. However, would Valdes-Scantling have even been in position to blow the game had a facemask not gone uncalled on Aaron Jones in the fourth quarter, extending the Packers drive to boot?
The Colts played a hell of a second half, but it’s pretty clear Jones was dragged down illegally on this play while a Packers offensive lineman had a hold of him. Jones was fine on the play, but Green Bay opted to give Jamaal Williams a surprising amount of the workload late in the game. Thankfully for the Packers, every team in the NFC North lost this week, so none of their division rivals were able to make up a game despite what could’ve been a tragic loss on their end.