‘I have no answers’ – Todd Bowles is clearly upset with the NFL’s latest problem that hurt the Bucs
Bowles wants answers from the league.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints pretty handily in Week 8, but it could’ve been far worse if it weren’t for one of the biggest blown calls in recent memory.
Antoine Winfield Jr. recovered a fumble in the second quarter and took it to the house for six points, but the refs called it back. They said they blew the play dead after Winfield Jr. recovered, but as you can see, that’s clearly not the case:
Not only did the blown call cost the Bucs six points, but it also handed the Saints three points. Baker Mayfield was strip-sacked on the ensuing drive, and New Orleans recovered, then later made a field goal. Instead of 14-0, it was 7-3 at halftime.
Todd Bowles is upset, and this is an NFL-wide issue
There was the weird situation against the Detroit Lions where Dan Campbell incorrectly challenged a call, yet he was given the challenge back, and now this with the Saints.
It’s put a very sour taste in Todd Bowles’ mouth, and he’s rightfully pissed off.
“I’m still pissed off over some of it,” Bowles told reporters after the game. “… That’s tough sledding… we have to do something. We’ll discuss that with the league, and go from there…
“… He said it was an erroneous whistle. So, I mean, as soon as he hit him, he stripped him, so I have no answers for that.”
The refereeing in 2025 has been bad, to say the least. I mean, just check out the no-call on what is clearly a Jalen Hurts fumble against the New York Giants in Week 8:
The easiest way for fans to lose interest is poor refereeing. It’s one of the most aggravating and frustrating things a fan can go through, especially when it’s inconsistent. The only consistency is the inconsistency, which is something the NFL clearly wants to avoid. But for some reason, it can’t.
Refs make way too much money to commit these types of mistakes. Sure, it’s a tough job, and it’s easy to understand why some calls are missed or blown. However, clear gaffes like what happened against the Bucs and Giants should not — and cannot —happen. Getting those calls correct is a basic element of the job that just about anyone can do. There’s no excuse when considering all the different ways replay can bail it out.
We’ll see if Bowles gets any closure. The league keeps refs guarded like it’s Fort Knox or they’re in wit-sec. It’s pretty silly how guarded and protective Roger Goodell is over the refs. Regardless, at least Bowles is trying to do something. Hopefully, more coaches/teams follow suit, and then maybe that will get some kind of change going.
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