Another bad referee job puts the Bucs in a bad spot, and it’s even worse than last time
Refereeing in the NFL is in a very bad spot, right now.
One of the weirder moments during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ loss to the Detroit Lions was not only an overturned call that had nothing to do with the initial challenge, but the Lions’ challenge was incorrect, and they were given said challenge back afterward.
The game was officiated rather poorly. Regardless, it was a strange moment, but it didn’t have much of an impact on the game. However, the call that went against the Bucs during the first half of their matchup against the Saints is a much, much different story.
Refs take a defensive touchdown away from Antoine Winfield Jr. based on a phantom call
Jamel Dean stripped the ball away from Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed in the second quarter, and Antoine Winfield Jr. did his usual thing. He scooped it up and took it to the house for six points.
The refs later took it back and said the justification came from a blown whistle once the ball came out. It sure didn’t look like a whistle was blown, since literally every player on the field kept playing. It also didn’t sound like one was blown while watching the game live, and even the commentators, Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma, agreed they didn’t hear one upon review.
Not only did it take an extra seven points off the board that would’ve put the Bucs up 14-0, but Baker Mayfield was strip-sacked by Chase Young on the ensuing drive. The Saints scored three points right before halftime, thanks to excellent field position, making it a 7-3 game heading into the second half.
Fortunately for the Bucs, they get the ball at the start of the third quarter, and the Saints don’t. Still, we’re talking about a 10-point swing that could easily come back to bite Tampa Bay based on how things have gone, thus far.
Sure, it’s up to the Bucs to get their heads on straight and actually play like the team that was leading the NFC just a mere two weeks ago. At the same time, calls like this certainly won’t help, especially when they’re clearly wrong.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers News
Bucs are staring down the barrel of a harsh truth after beating the Saints
Baker Mayfield and the offense need to find a way to get back on track.
