Burgundy & Gold Reaction: Week 15 Takeaways – Yes, NFL Officiating is Horrendous

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December 20, 2022

by David Earl

Horrendous Officiating the NFL Norm Now

Questionable officiating has become a groundhog day experience every week and this game is no different. While I will certainly talk about how the officiating is not the main reason for this loss, it definitely played a key component in this terrible game by Washington. The final play of the game to Curtis Samuel consisted of illegal contact past 5 yards, defensive holding as Curtis Samuel came out of his break, and a blatantly missed pass interference call. Any one of these could have been called giving Washington 1st and goal inside the 5 yard line, but the I guess the sun was in their eyes obstructing the view. Even a few plays later Terry McLaurin was clearly checking with the line judge to ensure he was set properly with what appeared a “good to go” signal from the official. As you watched the play continue the referee’s hand immediately goes onto the flag to throw just before the snap. As I will discuss later how Washington did not necessarily lose solely due to the officials, but these series of official decisions most certainly ripped away the momentum Washington had heading into a possible over time. Every week it’s been the same issues in every game and many fans, players, and coaches have simply grown tired of it. Whether it’s because the complexity of the rules have made the job of the officials too much to handle or the fact today’s technology allows the fans to see frame by frame shots at every angle makes an already existing issue just more prevalent, the league must reevaluate the possibility of making specific penalties like the pass interference against Samuel reviewable. As I have spoken on this before: I think this time let’s allow some NFL fans speak their mind. While I may not fully subscribe to “the fix” being in in regards to gambling, the NFL and their officials are not helping this idea to go away.

Regardless of whatever narrative you follow about the officials it is clear the fans have become truly sour on the officiating and, for some, tired of the game itself. I only grabbed a few fans above from other games but the social media page searching for “NFL officials terrible” provides me a feed of messages that just don’t stop. There is a league-wide problem here and some of us don’t even believe they care just as long as the TV deals keep pouring into their revenue stream. However, while the Sunday night game was ridiculously officiated and Washington’s momentum was clearly stalled by those in zebra stripes, let’s not ignore another more prevalent reason for this loss.

Defense Was Defenseless

Tress Way punts the ball down to the G,iants 3 yard line so Washington and their defense are in business right? Well, 18 plays and 97 yards later the Giants jump up to a 14-3 lead heading into halftime. The Giants had a near 2:1 ratio in time of possession in the first half but was even with Washington in total yards gained in the first half. When the defense had to answer the call, the Giants countered with a quick passing game that didn’t allow the Washington front 4 to get into any rhythm rushing the quarterback.  With that strategy Daniel Jones was able to complete 12-16 passes for 104 yards and earn a passer rating of 91.7. As Saquon Barkley entered halftime with 13 yards off 7 carries, the Giants commitment to the running game in the second half proved to wear Washington defense down. Barkley finished the game with 87 yards averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and Daniel Jones scrambled for 35 yards himself. Simply put, Washington’s defense had no answer to the Giants  when it counted the most, such as the 8 play drive after a crucial late fumble by Heinicke. That drive saw Barkley rush 8 times for 48 of his game total 87 yards and resulted in a Graham Gano 50 yard field goal.

I don’t want to paint a complete picture of dominance by the Giants, as Washington’s defense allowed only a 20% third down conversion rate and giving up only 288 yards. Even time of possession was even by games end as well. What broke Washington’s back was the Giants’ defensive touchdown accompanied by Washington inexplicably allowing an 18 play 97 yard touchdown drive and a late game winning field goal drive for the Giants, during which Barkley rushed for 47 yards. A good team can find a way to over come this, the horrendous officiating played a key role in the outcome of this game. Each situation played off the other as we all watched an inept offense try to bring this team back in the game.

Oh The Offensive Woes

Kayvon Thibodeaux was a monster against Washington’s offensive line, but so was Dexter Lawrence clogging the middle. The offensive line was again over matched all game not allowing Taylor Heinicke any valuable time in the pocket most of the game. What did not help was Scott Turner getting to quick away from Brian Robinson Jr. while trusting Curtis Samuel to many time in short yardage run packages. When things did go right Heinicke engineered two long sustaining drives. The first drive was a 7 play, 91 yard touchdown drive that saw Heinicke complete 5 passes and the second drive late in the 4th quarter ending in a fumble. The offensive game plan was never fluid beyond those 2 drives and the running game averaging 6.1 yards per carry, yet Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson combined for only 17 carries. This team’s identity during this 6-1-1 streak was was nearly 60-40 (run to pass) game plans; despite that, this game was 50-50 in play calling. At no point did offensive coordinator Scott Turner ever need to leave the running game. Robinson Jr. alone should have carried the ball 20+ times as the Giants defense was just unable to bring him down. Seeing how the offensive line was abused and knowing the next 2 opponents defensive fronts are far more superior than that of New York, what exactly is the answer now going forward? We all know what Taylor Heinicke is and Carson Wentz, albeit a much more talented arm, just holds the ball far too long taking bad sacks.  Is this the week Sam Howell comes into consideration? Throwing him to the wolves against San Francisco is admittedly not ideal but it’s week 16 and if he is not ready to at least play now will he ever be? It is certainly a sentiment the last few weeks but now the Sam Howell chants are becoming louder – at this point why not, right? He is a stronger-armed version of Taylor Heinicke, but whether he possesses the same leadership qualities Taylor has is simply unknown. Regardless of the direction Ron Rivera chooses, the next 3 weeks are games not for the weak of heart, Washington fans, that’s for sure.