NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 03: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints reacts during the second quarter in the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome on October 03, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
It’s been a terrible couple of weeks for officiating in the NFL, and the referees doubled down in the Saints-Titans game.
The Saints made a critical red zone interception that would’ve taken points off the board in what’s been a close game thus far in the first half. Instead, New Orleans was called for roughing the passer, with the officials yet again potentially interfering with the end result.
Ryan Tannehill was hit just as he threw the ball towards the end zone. Tannehill’s decision-making was suspect on the play, as he was intercepted. Yet, it was all for nothing thanks to the officiating crew.
What is roughing the passer in NFL?
The following is from the NFL official rulebook:
“Because the act of passing often puts the quarterback (or any other player attempting a pass) in a position where he is particularly vulnerable to injury, special rules against roughing the passer apply. The Referee has principal responsibility for enforcing these rules. Any physical acts against a player who is in a passing posture (i.e. before, during, or after a pass) which, in the Referee’s judgment, are unwarranted by the circumstances of the play will be called as fouls.”
Nonetheless, It doesn’t appear the Tannehill was hit late on the play. Instead, the official threw the flag a bit early, hurting the Saints and impacting the scoreline as a result.