Texans-Jets matchup clouded in controversy before the game even starts
The Houston Texans' path to victory over the New York Jets may have gotten a little complicated. An often criticized officiating crew, led by referee Brad Allen, will be under a closer eye this week in the Texans and Jets matchup after missing blatantly obvious calls in recent high-stakes matchups, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning. […]
The Houston Texans' path to victory over the New York Jets may have gotten a little complicated.
An often criticized officiating crew, led by referee Brad Allen, will be under a closer eye this week in the Texans and Jets matchup after missing blatantly obvious calls in recent high-stakes matchups, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning.
"Allen's crew will be under increased scrutiny when they officiate Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium between the Texans and Jets," Schefter writes. "Many, including the NFL, will be watching to see if there's another decision by Allen's crew that draws the ire of teams the way it did the past two weeks."
Texans in an officiating toss-up
Most of the controversy surrounding Allen's officiating crew involves missed pass interference calls.
The main call in question came in a Sunday Night Football matchup between the Kansas City Cheifs and the Green Bay Packers.
In that game, the Chiefs attempted to rally back until a long pass intended for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, missed its target because Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine went over his back.
The fallout from that play was a call for NFL officials to be better.
It wasn't the only mistake Allen's crew has made this season. In an Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints matchup the week before, the crew missed a similar call, albeit this mistake came in the second quarter.
The Texans will have to try to take on a formidable Jets defense with a refereeing crew known for missing pass interference calls. It is setting up a must-win matchup for Houston to be clouded in controversy before even one snap is taken.
If Allen and his crew miss another pass interference call — especially one that changes the game — it could spell bad news for a refereeing group already under scrutiny.
